Katarmal Sun Temple
The sun temple at
Katarmal is believed to be the most ancient temple dedicated to Sun God.
Its
existence goes back to the end of Satyayuga.
The establishment of
SUN GOD is related to the great Demon Kalanemi, who lived in Patal loka
(Neither Land).
It is said that Kalanemi was a great warrior. He had gone
through severe penance and was awarded many boons from Shree Bhrmah ji.
In Tretayuga, he was
deputed by Demon King Ravana to stop Shree Hanuman and prevent him to bring Sanjivani
herb which would cure Rama Younger Brother Laxman.
Kalanemi went to the place
before Dronagiri Mountain in Himalayas (Now in Uttranchal) to stop Shree
Hanuman.
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There he disguised as a Sadhu but Shree Hanuman understood the plot,
wrapped Kalanemi in his tail and flung him into sky. Kalanemi was thrown with
great force that he flew all over from Dronagiri Mountains in Uttranchal and
fell in Lanka at Ravana’s Fort. This gives one visual of Shree Hanuman’s great
powers.
Later Kalanemi was
killed by Shree Hari Vishnu. He still reincarnated as Kansa in Dwaparyuga and
was again killed by avatar of Shree Hari, Shree Krishna.
Folk tales say that in
Satyuga, Sun GOD was worshipped and was placed in Hills which now fall in
Uttranchal. The Sun GOD was summoned through mantras and was established in a
piece of Banyan tree {Butt Vriksh} wood.
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This was done to empower nature to help the killing of Demon Kalanemi. As per folk tales, the structure was rebuild using stone in 15000 BC. [Scholars believe that it was re build in about 3200 BC].
This was done to empower nature to help the killing of Demon Kalanemi. As per folk tales, the structure was rebuild using stone in 15000 BC. [Scholars believe that it was re build in about 3200 BC].
With SUN GOD, other
temples were also constructed.
About 44 temples surround the main temple of SUN
GOD which called as Burhadita or Vriddh aditya. (Aged
or Old Sun [surya])
Other deities like Shiva-Parvati, Lakshmi-Narayana etc. are
also established in this temple complex.
Also an idol of Stone dedicated
to Surya (Sun GOD) was placed in the temple for public view and worship.
This
idol shows SUN GOD in sitting position, which is also different of other idols
of SUN GOD as they show SUN GOD in standing position. The original Wood piece
is also there.
The
temple is East facing. It is built in such a way that the first ray of the sun
falls on the Shiva lingam enshrined in the temple.
The walls of the temples are
made of stones, and the pillars are adorned with beautiful carvings.
The huge pieces of
rocks were cut and transported over to the mountainous region.
The temple was
constructed by using metal grips to hold huge piece of rocks.
The stones
weighing up to 400 tons are used in temple construction and are clamped with I
and H shaped iron clamps.
Still later, in
Kaliyuga, in 9th centaury AD, Kataramalla, a king from Katyur
Dynasty repaired the temple structure keeping the old material intact.
Later, many idols were
stolen from the temple; the doors were removed and are kept in national
museum in Delhi. Now the temple has been declared as national
property and is being protected and looked after by government archeological department.
Katarmal is situated
in Uttranchal, Almora District. It is about in an elevation of 2116 m above sea
level.
Being the oldest
temple dedicated to SUN GOD, it is worth seeing. The people from surroundings
still go to temple to worship.
The sitting idol of SUN GOD is different and
will be seen in Katarmal only.
