It is situated at a distance of about 1.6 Kms. from Srikakulam District head quarters and 17 Kms. from Srikakulam Railway Station on Visakhapatnam — Howrah line. The original name is believed to have been Harshavalli or abode of joy. Another Version Credits this place with curing of piles and indicates the name of the village as Arsohari (also means piles). The famous Sun-God temple is an ancient and one of the very few Sun God temples existing in our Country.
History:
The Sthalapurana of this temple narrates that Lord Devendra had founded this temple and installed the existing idol of the Sun-God commonly known as Lord Suryanarayana Swamy Varu. The temple is built in such a way that the Sun rays fall on the feet of the god twice a year in the month of February and June in the early hours of the day. The rays fall on the feet of idol for a few minutes through the five entrance gates of the temple remain closed.
The five idols installed in one place in the temple they are Aditya, Ambica Devi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Maheswara are worshiped by different devotees. The Sun-God is depicted as riding over a chariot drawn by seven Homes driven by ARUNA RADHA SARATHI. All these figures are Exquisitely carved out of a single black granite stone. Sundays during the five months from Magham are considered sacred.