In the Brahmanas layer of Vedic literature, Surya appears with Agni (fire god) in the same hymns. In the layers of Vedic texts, Surya is one of the several trinities along with Agni and either Vayu or Indra, which are presented as an equivalent icon and aspect of the Hindu metaphysical concept called the Brahman. The Vedas assert Sun (Surya) to be the creator of the material universe ( Prakriti). In some hymns, the word Surya simply means sun as an inanimate object, a stone or a gem in the sky (Rigvedic hymns 5.47, 6.51 and 7.63) while in others it refers to a personified deity. The oldest surviving Vedic hymns, such as the hymn 1.115 of the Rigveda, mention Sūrya with particular reverence for the "rising sun” and its symbolism as dispeller of darkness, one who empowers knowledge, the good and all life. In various respects, Surya has tended to be merged into Shiva, or seen as subsidiary to him. A number of important Surya temples remain, but many are no longer in worship. New Surya temples virtually ceased to be built, and some were later converted to a different dedication, generally Shiva. Having survived as a primary deity in Hinduism arguably better and longer than any other of the original Vedic deities apart from Vishnu, the worship of Surya declined greatly around the 13th century, perhaps as a result of the Muslim conquest of north India. Major festivals and pilgrimages in reverence of Surya include Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Ratha Sapthami, Chath puja and Kumbh Mela. Surya or Ravi is the basis of Ravivara, or Sunday, in the Hindu calendar. Surya is one of the nine heavenly houses ( Navagraha) in the zodiac system of Hindu astrology. Surya is depicted with a Chakra which is also interpreted as Dharmachakra. Surya as a deity is also found in the arts and literature of Buddhism and Jainism.
In some ancient texts and arts, Surya is presented syncretically with Indra, Ganesha or others. In medieval Hinduism, Surya is also an epithet for the major Hindu gods Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. Surya's iconography is often depicted riding a chariot harnessed by horses, often seven in number which represent the seven colours of visible light, and seven days in a week. Surya is one of the five deities considered as equivalent aspects and means to realizing Brahman in the Smarta Tradition. Surya also connotes the solar deity in Hinduism, particularly in the Saura tradition found in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha.
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