The Vedic eratures talk about Sun as a giver and sustainer of life. The "Matsya Purana" says "Aarogyam Bhashkaradichher (Sun is the giver of good health). Saints and leamed people in India devised different methods of Sun worship and "Surya Namaskar" (prostrating to Sun God).
The ray of the rising Sun was considered very important for the health of all plants and animals including man. This has the capacity to annihilate disease-causing factors According to "Rig Veda", the rays of the rising Sun can heal heart problems, jaundice, anemia etc. The 'Atharva Veda" also says that the rays have unique healing properties for heart-related problems and for patients suffering from anemia. This is the reason why Vedas prescribe worship of the rising Sun by facing east at the time of sunrise. The ray of the Sun falling directly on the chest is highly beneficial for a good health. The rays of the morning Sun are more beneficial compared to its rays at any other time of the day.
Relevance Today: We all know that Vitamin D plays a significant role in our immunity system. The studies on COVID 19 are showing that low level of Vitamin D is associated with high mortality especially in elderly population of developed countries. Vitamin D supplementation is now recommended to prevent these deaths. Vitamin D synthesis occurs naturally in our skin cells on exposure to sunlight. Daily exposure to early morning Sunlight is required. It is advised to get exposure of Sunlight, Sunbath for 30-40 minutes in a week with about 40% uncovered body. The Sanatan Way of living had a concept of offering water to the Sun just after taking bath in the morning in minimal clothes. This early morning exposure to the Sun light if done regularly on seven days serves the modern scientific recommendation We need to realize the science behind our culture and follow it. (source-Traditions & Customs of Ancient Indian Culture and Their Role in COVID 19 Pandemic Prevention and Control Abhishek Tiwari 1, Manish Kumar Manar 2 Shivendra Kumar Singh 3, Udit Mohan 4, Kanchan Panday 5, Uday Mohan 6, Indian Journal of Community Health/Vol 32/Issue No 02/APR-JUN 2020)
Festivals: Pongal or Makara Sankaranti is the most widely celebrated Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God. Other festivals that focus on Surya include Chhath of Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the neighboring regions, Samba Dashami and Ratha Saptami are also major festivals celebrated in honour of Surya
Dances: The repertoire of classical Indian dances such as the Bharatanatyam include poses that signify rays of light beaming towards all of the universe, as a form of homage to Surya
Surya Namaskar: Surya Namaskar literally means sun salutation. The nomenclature refers to the symbolism of Sun as the soul and the source of all life
Temples: The Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha, is the most iconic Sun temple in India. Built by Narasimhadeva. It is built to resemble the resplendent chariot of sun god, with elaboratively carved wheels. The chariot has 24 wheels each representing the fortnight of the year and 8 spokes of each wheel, serve as sun dials symbolic of 8 praharas (Divisions of the day)
The Sun Temple of Martand in Jammu & Kashmir was built as one of the grandest temples in north India. It was built by King Lalithaditya of Kashmir between 725 and 756 CE
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