Sun Temple, Ranchi

About Sun Temple, Ranchi

The Bundu Sun Temple was constructed in the late 20th century by local religious trusts seeking to create a significant Sun worship site in Jharkhand. Architects drew directly from Konark's characteristic features: large carved chariot wheels set into the base of the temple, seven stone horses pulling an imagined celestial chariot, and decorative panels depicting solar mythology around the exterior walls. The scale is considerably smaller than Konark, but the design intention is clear and the execution is accomplished enough to merit the journey from Ranchi. The temple faces east so that the rising sun illuminates the main sanctum directly on the winter and summer solstices and equinoxes — a solar alignment feature that references Konark's original astronomical design principles. Early morning visits on clear winter days (November to January) create a particularly dramatic experience as sunlight enters the sanctum. The Chhath Puja festival, dedicated to Surya worship, brings enormous crowds to this temple — it is one of the most important Chhath sites in the Ranchi region. The temple is conveniently located on NH-33 between Ranchi and Jamshedpur, making it an easy stop on journeys between the two cities or a targeted day trip from Ranchi in combination with the nearby Deori Mandir and Sita Falls.