Biranchi Narayan Sun Temple

The Biranchi Narayan Sun Temple stands in the town of Buguda in Ganjam district, Odisha, and is dedicated to Surya, worshipped here as Biranchi Narayan in a form combining the Hindu trinity. It is counted as the second Surya temple built in Odisha after Konark, and is known as the Wooden Konark because, at the king's wish, its main image is made of wood; a legend links the stone image of Surya to this wooden original.

King Srikara Bhanjadeva renovated the temple in 1790, and the image of the deity had been found among ruins at Maltigad. The roof rests on 46 pillars with detailed woodwork, and the imagery includes Surya's chariot with seven horses driven by Aruna. Unlike Konark, the temple faces west, so the light of the setting sun reaches the feet of the deity. Ratha Saptami in Magha and Samba Dashami in Pausha are the chief festivals, and worship is also marked on Sundays and at Sankranti.