Sun Temple Deo

History

State tourism materials treat Deo as an ancient spiritual centre where Lord Sun is honoured through daily solar worship cycles. The shrine’s tank and carved stonework are part of its listed appeal on the Aurangabad destination page.

Chhath Puja transforms Deo into one of the state’s most visible religious events, drawing pilgrims from across eastern India to offer arghya to the setting and rising sun.

Stories

The king cured by the Sun

Tradition says that King Ail, afflicted with leprosy, bathed in a pond at Deo and was cured. In gratitude he built a temple to Surya on the spot. Other versions say the divine architect Vishwakarma built the temple in a single night.

The temple is also linked in tradition with the Pandavas and with the origin of Chhath.

The sun temple that faces west

Most Hindu temples face east, but the Deo Sun Temple in Aurangabad district of Bihar faces west, towards the setting sun. A popular story says the temple turned overnight to face west when a ruler threatened to destroy it.

It is built of grey stone, with a tall spire about 30 metres high, and there are three images of Surya for the morning, noon and evening Sun.

The Chhath fair at Deo

Deo is one of the best-known places to celebrate Chhath, in the days after Diwali. Lakhs of devotees from Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh gather at the temple pond to offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun.

A second Chhath is also observed in the month of Chaitra.

Good to know

Ancient Surya temple with sacred water tank (Bihar Tourism)

Sunrise and sunset worship traditions

Major Chhath Puja destination in Bihar

Getting there

Road from Aurangabad town and Patna–Gaya corridor (NH-2 region). Rail: nearest major hubs Aurangabad / Gaya / Patna with taxi. Air: Gaya or Patna, then road.