







The Sun Temple of Nirath, in Rampur sub-division is the only Sun temple in Himachal Pradesh. Talking about the history of temple, it is believed that this temple was build by Lord Parashurama. There is also a less famous folktale among some people about the constitution of temple. It is also believed that, this was built by Five Pandvas. But according to the hand written texts, 'Parod' (Ancient Texts), the ancient name of Nirath was Atalpur. It was said that after the war of Mahabharata, Lord Parashuram came to the Himalayan region with 1500 followers of different communities (Gotra) of Bhramin like Shaiva, Shaktik, Saury, Kamakhya Gotra. Among them 200 disciples who belonged to 'Sauryamanta Gotra' were called at 'Atalpur' now it is known from place called Nirath. After reaching here, Lord Parshuram build Surya Narayan Temple and established 200 Saurya disciples on "Surya Pak" (stone) by resolving 1,825 Books and texts, 2 Biswa land among them. Most interestingly, 18 different havan kunds are established in both inside and outside the temple complex, which are opened on the occasion of Shanda Mahayagya. Lord Parashurama Established four other places, which are very well known by "4 Tharai". Thereafter went to the Himalayas to meditate. According to some scholars the temple belongs to the CE 8-9th century, attributed to the Katyuri rulers of Kumaon, whose territorial limit once extended to Satluj. The present standing temple may not be older than the CE 16-17th century, but surveys by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) suggest it should have built before the 12th Century. Team Shimladeities