SAURA SECT

Hindu sect widely dispersed throughout India in the Gupta and medieval periods; its members worshiped Surya, the sun, as the supreme deity. Surya as the sun was worshiped by Indians from the Vedic period onward for his help in destroying sins and bestowing blessings. The existence of a sect of sun worshipers is noted in the Indian epic the Mahabharata. The Saura, like other sectarians, interpreted various texts as declaring the supremacy of Surya. Spiritual emancipation was believed to be obtained by adoring the sun (just-risen, on the meridian, and setting), by bearing its marks on the body (a circular red tilaka, or mark on the forehead), and by chanting his prayer. The influence of the ancient Iranian cult of Mithra is evident as early as the 1st century AD. Thereafter, North Indian temple images of Surya show him in typical northern dress, such as boots, and the girdle around the waist known as the avyanga (Avesta avyonhana). The Magas (the Iranian priests, the Magis) were the special priests of the sun gods and were assimilated into the Hindu caste structure as Brahmans. The temple constructed at Multan on the banks of the Candra Bhaga River (modern Chenab, now in Pakistan) was an important centre of the cult in the 7th century AD. Though the Saura is no longer a prominent sect in India, the chanting of the Gayatri mantra, a prayer to the sun, is a part of the orthodox Hindu's daily routine. Surya also figures as one of the five deities (together with Vishnu, Siva, Sakti, and Ganesa) worshiped by the Smarta sect.