Suurya (सूर्य sun), according to the Wedas, is one of many sons of aditi (अदिति sky-goddess) and therefore he is also called an aaditya (आदित्य). We know that sun is a star formed in the sky. Again there are multiple solar systems with as many suns in the universe. The Wedic seers, probably, had identified a few out of them and thus, aditi the sky-goddess was said to have these sons i.e. the suns in space, each with a different name as: wiwaswat (विवस्वत् ), aryaman (अर्यमन् ), puuShan (पूषन् ), sawitR (सवितृ ), waruNa (वरुण), mitra (मित्र), suurya (सूर्य), amsha (अंश), etc.

As we confined this perspective to our own solar system, all these names became synonymous to only one ‘Sun’ whom we see today in the sky.

The Sun-God has hair and arms of gold and has four hands holding a wheel (चक्र), mace (गदा), conch (शङ्‌ख) and a lotus (कमल) in each. He rides in a chariot harnessed by seven horses. Suurya is considered to be a deity by the Hindus and solar-worship is practiced by almost all Hindus in different forms. The suurya-namaskaara (सूर्य-नमस्कार sun-salutations) is a well-known way of worship performed at sunrise. Ten yogic positions are assumed in succession to complete one namaskaara. This particular worship gives physical strength to, sharpens the mind of and improves the spiritual power of a performer devotee.

Suurya is the source of all energy in the world and he is considered to be the supreme creator and supporter of all beings. He is the one, who causes day & night, divides the year into two equal halves, twelve months, and 365 days. Thus, he is the master of time and as such, the supreme master of all activities.

There are  a few festivals dedicated to solar worship, but the major one that is celebrated unanimously throughout India is makara-sankraanti मकर-सङ्‌क्रान्ति i.e. the transition of the Sun from the dhanu (धनु Sagittarius) to the makara (मकर capricorn) zodiac sign.

This transition has the following significance:

• It is closer to the winter solstice that occurs in December.
• It marks the beginning of harvest season in most parts of India.
• It marks the beginning of longer days and shorter nights.
• It is period when the climate in most parts of India is very pleasant.
• Being the festival of the Sun-God, it is a major event in the solar calendar.

There are innumerable ways in which makara-sankraanti is celebrated all over India, a few of which are follows:

• Performing ritual bath in a nearby river/lake and offering water to Sun
• Performing suurya-puuja (सूर्य-पूजा) to Sun-God by offering marigold flowers
• Celebrating the Kite festival by flying kites in the sky
• Consuming sweets that keep the body warm from within
• Organizing communal gatherings including music, dance, folk art, etc.

This year the makara-sankraanti festival will be celebrated on the 15th of January 2012 CE. The following verse in the upajaati (उपजाति) meter pays obeisance to Lord Sun by proclaiming him to be the creator, supporter and terminator of all beings in this world.