Arasavalli, home to an ancient temple of Suryanarayana Swamy, is located 3 km from
Srikakulam, in
Srikakulam District,
Andhra Pradesh. The deity is a granite idol of
Surya which is about 5 feet high and bearing lotus buds. The deity is presented with consorts Padma, Usha and Chhaaya, on a chariot driven by seven horses.
The temple is built in such a way that the early morning sun's rays fall on the feet of the deity twice a year, in February and June, even when the 5 main entrance gates are closed. It is said to have been built originally by the Kalinga rulers of Orissa around the 7th century. Legend has it that
Indra, the king of Gods, once attempted to force his entry into the temple of Koteeshwara. He was thrown out of the temple by
Nandi. Later a remorseful Indra enshrined Surya, the Sun God, in this temple and performed worship services.
Inscriptions found inside the temple show endowments made by Aditya Vishnu Sarma and Bhanu Sarma of the Kalinga clan. The present structure is largely a result of 18th century renovations. Within the temple, the shrines of
Ganesh,
Shiva,
Parvati and Vishnu are also found. An image of
Indra is also enshrined in this temple.
It is believed that those with skin ailments, blindness and barrenness are miraculously cured of their afflictions upon offering worship at this temple.
