Surya Aradhana

On the sacred day of Makara Sankranti, when the Sun begins His northward journey of Uttarāyaṇa, the Vedic Surya Namaskar & Aruṇa / Sūrya Havan will be performed at the powerful kṣetra of Srisailam. This rare combination of place, time, and ritual is believed to multiply the blessings of Lord Sūrya — the visible form of the Supreme and the giver of life, vitality, courage, and divine brilliance.
The puja begins with Abhiṣekam to the Sūrya idol, followed by Sūrya Yantra Pūja, invoking the cosmic energy of the Sun through sacred geometry. This is followed by 72 Surya Namaskārams, performed while chanting mantras dedicated to Sūrya Deva from the Ṛgveda and Yajurveda. After the Namaskāra, the same Vedic Surya mantras are offered into the sacred fire through the Aruṇa / Sūrya Havan, carrying the devotee’s prayers directly to the solar deity through Agni.
The glory of Sūrya worship is praised in the Āditya Hṛdayam of the Rāmāyaṇa:

“ādityaḥ hṛdayaṃ puṇyaṃ sarvaśatru-vināśanam
jayāvahaṃ japen nityaṃ akṣayyaṃ paramaṃ śivam”

— “This sacred Aditya Hridayam destroys all enemies, grants victory, bestows inexhaustible merit, and leads one to supreme auspiciousness.”
Performing this puja at Srisailam on Makara Sankranti is traditionally believed to remove diseases, strengthen self-confidence, neutralize Surya-related graha doṣas, illuminate one’s intellect, and bless the devotee with leadership, health, prosperity, and spiritual awakening as the divine light of Uttarāyaṇa enters their life.