Surya
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Surya is the Sun as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a means to realise Brahman. Other names of Surya in ancient Indian literature include Aditya, Arka, Bhanu, Savitr, Pushan, Ravi, Martanda, Mitra, Bhaskara, Prabhakara, Kathiravan, and Vivasvan.
Painting of the god Surya, 19th century
A Hellenistic coin of Plato of Bactria (145–130 BCE) with the sun god Helios (left), and depiction of Surya in a Buddhist relief at Bodh Gaya (2nd century BCE), its earliest known depiction in India (right).
Surya on his charriot with horses, Bhaja Caves (1st cent BCE).
A Surya of the Kushan period, in northern clothing. 2nd–3rd century CE, Art of Mathura.
Solar deity
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A solar deity or sun deity is a deity who represents the Sun or an aspect thereof. Such deities are usually associated with power and strength. Solar deities and Sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms. The Sun is sometimes referred to by its Latin name Sol or by its Greek name Helios. The English word sun derives from Proto-Germanic *sunnǭ.
A solar representation on an anthropomorphic stele from Rocher des Doms, France, Chasséen culture, 5th-4th millennia BC.
Ra in his barque
The Nebra Sky Disc, Germany, c. 1800–1600 BC
Heracles in the golden cup-boat of the sun god Helios, 480 BC.