Temple Profile

Temple Profile: Mandir Shri Surya Mandir

Location:	Middle of the town	God Worshipped:	Shri Padmanathji
District:	Jhalawar	Road Distance from Jaipur:	350 Kms
Built in the year:	Samvat 870 (813 AD)	Nearest Airport:	Kota (90 km)
By	Maharaja Nagbhatt -II of the Pratihar Rajpoot clan.	Nearest Rly. Station:	Jhalawar Road (30 km)

Cause of Establishment:
The temple was founded in Samvat 870 (813 AD) by Maharaja Nagbhatta –II of the Pratihar Rajpoot clan. The king built this temple for the extension of religion and culture. This is the only sun temple in Rajasthan built on the Konark style.

The most important and historical event about this temple is that of its Rennovation i.e Jeernoddhar done in Shak Samwat 1871 i.e Vikram Samwat 1736 Miti Jeth Sudi 11 on Saturday noon during the region of kota Maharao Ummaid Singh .I and prince Kishore singh by Zhala Jalim Singh Deevan on that above cited fay uddyapan of the Diety (idol of Shri Padam Nath Ji) was also performed .The golden Kalash was placed on this temple be him . This all is engraved on a slabe right at the main entrance of the temple , along with the name of honourable busineeman, Subedar of the twon alonwith the names of the mason .

Who worked for the reunnovation of the temple .The canopy on main entrance is built in Mugal-Rajput architecture is apporent.

Brief of the Diety:
Though this is a sun temple, but the deity enshrined is Padmanathji whose four armed statue is in a standing posture. In the sanctum sanctorum this idol is enshrined and worshiped. This temple is also called Surya Mandir (sun temple). Saat Saheliyon ka Mandir (the temple of seven maid friends). Lord Surya has been conceived as four armed God called Narayan.. This idol is in white stone. The wonderful thing is when the first rays of the sun touch the feet of the idol and this idol of Lord Surya has been recognized as the best and safest idol of Lord Surya.
Religious sect to which the temple belongs:
The worship of the temple is performed in the tradition of Pushtimarg.
Architecture of the Temple:
Important Architectural Characteristics:
This temple is venerated by all Hindu vaishnavas. Sometimes people confuse this temple with the temple of Shanti Nathji which was built after 200 years. But this temple has been built in Konark style of architecture. Again the Rath (chariot) style of architecture proves without doubt that this is the sun temple. From the point of view of beautiful sculpture the images are immaculate.

The most important and historical event above this temple is that of its renovation is Jeernoddhar done in shak samvat 1871 i.e. Vikram samvat 1736 miti jeth sudi 11 on Saturday noon during the regime of Kota Maharao Ummed Singh I and Prince Kishore Singh by Zhala Jalim Singh Dewan on that above cited day Uddyapan of the deity (idol of Shri Padam Nathji) was also performed the golden kalash was placed on this temple by him. This all is engraved on a shilalekh right at the main entrance of temple,
along with the honorable businessman, Subedar of Town along with the names of the masons who worked for the renovation of the temple. The canopy of main entrance is built in Mugal Rajput style.

Material of Construction:

The temple has been constructed with stones which have been carefully carved by the sculptures, and the architecture is also unique and one of its own kind in Rajasthan.

Total Construction Time:

Religious aspects of temple:
The temple is visited by all sects of Hindus and tourists.
Unique features of the temple:
The temple is full of statues and statuettes on the exterior of walls and also in the interior. The upward blooming eight petalled lotus is extremely beautiful. The height of the pinnacle is 97 ft. Pinnacles and Kalash of other shikhars and doms are also beautiful. The toran Dwar (bracketed gateway), Mandap, Nij Mandir, Garbhagriha are beautifully built. On the ceiling of the Mandap statuettes of sages have been incurved. The temple requires special attention. At the back of the temple, the statues are the best examples of sculpture. Cunningham, the historian has called this temple as second Khajuraho.
Festivals & Fairs in Temple (Main Events):
Main festivals are Rathyatra, Janmashtami, Dussera, Viman Utsav, Bhaishakh, Poornima and Kartik Poornima.

Timings:
Morning Time:	7.00 AM - 10.30 AM	Evening Time:	3.30 PM - 6.30 PM
Custom & Traditions of Temple:
Pooja is performed in the customary tradition of Pushtimarg. Mangla, Gwal, Bhog, Shayan Aaratis are performed daily.
Details of Temple:
Verandah:	1
Rasoi:	1
Others:	The inner temple is in the Nagar style and is of square shape over this built is a shikhar. On a wooden throne a black stone statue of Padmnathji is seated. In front of the temple, there is an open verandah.
Issues requiring global attention for conservation, protection and improvement of the temple:
This temple is a national heritage. The commercial shops in campus of the temple are causing a nuisance and they must be removed elsewhere. The surroundings of the temple should be beautified and developed and timely repairs are also needed.Since the temple has a resemblance of Konark and Khujaraho, its. importance forstudents of Architecture sculpture and mythological themes is evident by great.