Loading…
Loading…
By Astrologer Praveen Kumar · 24 September 2026 · Updated 3 October 2026
Among the many Sun temples of India, the Dev Surya Mandir (देव सूर्य मंदिर) in Dev, Aurangabad district, Bihar holds a special place — not only because it is one of the most revered sites for Chhath Puja, but because it is one of the rare Surya temples that faces west. For anyone whose kundali shows a weak or afflicted Sun — what is popularly called Surya Dosh (सूर्य दोष) — a visit to Dev combined with regular Surya upasana is a deeply traditional remedy in Bihar. This guide covers the temple, its link to Chhath, how a weak Sun shows in a birth chart, and a complete set of Surya remedies, from Arghya and Aditya Hridayam to the Sunday fast, Ravivar daan and careful use of ruby.
The temple stands in the town of Dev in southern Bihar's Aurangabad district, in the Magadh region. It is built in stone in the Nagara style, and local tradition attributes its construction to Vishwakarma, the divine architect. Historians debate its exact age, and different dates are cited, so it is best described simply as an ancient and highly revered shrine.
Most Surya temples face east, towards the rising Sun. The Dev temple's sanctum faces west (पश्चिमाभिमुख). A popular legend says the temple turned its face overnight in response to a devotee's prayer. For devotees, this west-facing form connects naturally with the evening Arghya (sandhya arghya) to the setting Sun, which is the heart of Chhath.
Dev hosts one of Bihar's largest Chhath gatherings, during both Kartik Chhath (Kartik Shukla Shashthi) and Chaiti Chhath (Chaitra Shukla Shashthi). Lakhs of devotees from Aurangabad, Gaya, Patna, Rohtas and neighbouring Jharkhand come to offer Arghya at the Surya Kund, the sacred tank near the temple. Many families come to fulfil a mannat (vow) made for children, health or prosperity. For the astrological meaning of the festival, read our Chhath Puja astrology guide.
In Vedic astrology, Surya is the natural significator of the soul, self-confidence, father, government, authority, fame, vitality, the heart and the eyes. Key placements:
| Condition | Sign | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Exalted (उच्च) | Aries (Mesh), deepest at 10° | Strong confidence, leadership, recognition |
| Own sign (स्वगृही) | Leo (Simha) | Dignity, authority, generosity |
| Debilitated (नीच) | Libra (Tula), deepest at 10° | Low self-belief, dependence on others' approval |
| Friendly signs | Signs of Moon, Mars, Jupiter | Generally supportive |
| Enemy signs | Signs of Venus and Saturn | Struggle for recognition |
The Sun gives its best results in the 10th house (career and status), where it gains directional strength (dig bala).
"Surya Dosh" is not a single classical yoga like Kaal Sarp; it is a practical term for a weak or afflicted Sun. Common chart indications include:
Surya-related issues are often felt during the Sun Mahadasha or Antardasha, when the Sun transits the 8th or 12th from the Moon, or during a solar eclipse affecting natal Sun or lagna degrees.
The Aditya Hridayam is from the Yuddha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, where Sage Agastya teaches it to Lord Rama before his battle with Ravana. It is recited for courage, victory over obstacles and health. Recite it once every morning after Arghya; many devotees follow a 41-day sankalp or recite it three times on Sundays.
ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः (Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah) — the beej mantra of the Sun. Traditional anushthan counts are 7,000 japa, done over several Sundays, with a ruby or rudraksha mala. A simpler daily practice is one mala of 108.
On Sundays, donate items associated with the Sun — wheat, jaggery (gur), copper, red cloth, masoor dal or red fruits — to a needy person or a temple. Serving one's father and respecting elders are also traditional Surya remedies.
Ruby is the gemstone of the Sun. It is typically worn in gold or copper on the ring finger of the right hand on a Sunday morning in Shukla Paksha after the Sun mantra. However:
Our gemstone guide and gemstone recommendation service explain the testing process.
Visiting Dev Surya Mandir, bathing or offering water at the Surya Kund, and offering Arghya at the west-facing temple is a powerful act of devotion for Surya-related problems. Many families combine it with a Chhath vrat or a Sunday visit.
Do: wake before sunrise, respect your father and seniors, keep promises, and be honest in official dealings — the Sun rewards integrity.
Don't: look directly at the Sun, start ruby without analysis, insult elders, or neglect eye and heart check-ups in the hope that a remedy is enough.
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Everyone with Sun in the 12th has Surya Dosh | The lagna, sign, aspects and dasha must all be checked |
| Ruby suits everyone with a weak Sun | It can harm some ascendants; analysis is essential |
| Remedies work only at Dev | Daily Arghya at home is the core practice; pilgrimage adds devotion |
| Surya Dosh means a bad father relationship forever | It indicates tendencies that awareness and effort can improve |
Bihar has a living tradition of Sun worship found almost nowhere else in India. Besides Dev, devotees visit the Surya temples at Ulaar in Patna district, as well as the many ghats along the Ganga in Patna and Munger for Chhath. People from Aurangabad, Gaya and Rohtas often visit Dev on Sundays as well as during Chhath. If the Sun's affliction is part of a wider pattern, a Navagraha shanti puja may also be suggested.
For a Vedic astrology consultation or detailed kundali analysis, bring your date, exact time and place of birth. Astrologer Praveen Kumar will check the Sun's sign, house, strength, aspects, Navamsa and D10 placement, the current dasha, and whether the Sun is a benefic for your lagna — and then suggest the right combination of Arghya, mantra, fasting, daan and, only if suitable, ruby.
Book your consultation with Astrologer Praveen Kumar — Contact us today
Most Surya temples face east toward the rising Sun, but the Dev Surya Mandir is famous for facing west. Local legend says the temple turned its face overnight in response to a devotee's prayer. Whatever the legend, the west-facing entrance is the temple's best-known feature and adds special significance to the evening Arghya offered during Chhath.
Common indications include low confidence, trouble with father or bosses, delays in government work, lack of recognition, and in health terms low vitality, eye or heart-related concerns when the chart supports it. In the chart, the Sun in Libra, combust in the 6th, 8th or 12th, or afflicted by Saturn or Rahu are typical markers. Health symptoms always need a doctor first.
Not automatically. Ruby strengthens the Sun, which helps only if the Sun is a benefic or functional benefic for your lagna. For some ascendants a stronger Sun can increase ego clashes, heat or conflict. Wear ruby only after full chart analysis, preferably test it for a few days, and remove it if you notice disturbance.
A single recitation every morning after Surya Arghya is the common practice. For a specific purpose, many devotees recite it three times daily for 41 days or on every Sunday. The text is from the Yuddha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, where Sage Agastya teaches it to Lord Rama, so it should be recited with clear pronunciation and respect.
The Kartik Chhath and Chaiti Chhath fairs are the most important times, when devotees from across Bihar and Jharkhand offer Arghya at the Surya Kund. For a quieter visit focused on personal prayer, Sundays, Ratha Saptami and Makar Sankranti are also considered auspicious for Surya worship.
Book a personalised session with Astrologer Praveen Kumar — Bihar's most trusted Vedic astrologer.
Shani dhaiya explained — Saturn in the 4th or 8th from your Moon sign, Kantak Shani, how it differs from Sade Sati, which rashis are affected and simple upay.
RemediesNavagraha shanti puja guide: signs of each afflicted planet, beej mantras, day, colour, daan, gemstone cautions, fasting and the full nine-planet puja vidhi.
RemediesGrahan dosh in kundali forms when Rahu or Ketu joins the Sun or Moon. Learn Surya vs Chandra grahan dosh effects, eclipse birth, Sutak rules and remedies.