Surya Lingam is located on the outer girivalam path about half a kilometre after Kannappa temple. This shrine has the good fortune of retaining its ancient stone mandapam structure. It is a very popular shrine although it is not part of the Ashtalingams and even on an ordinary non-festival day, there are always devotees and pilgrims worshipping the Surya lingam.
Surya symbolizes the Sun God. Surya is considered as the only visible form of God that can be seen every day. Lord Surya is regarded as an aspect of Shiva and Vishnu by Shaivites and Vaishnavas respectively. Surya is also known as Surya Narayana. Surya, the Sun God is verily acknowledged as one of the eight forms of Lord Shiva (Astamurti) and he is the lord of excellence and wisdom. The celestial body, Surya (the sun) is visible in the sky. Surya forms the major god of the Navgrahas (nine planets). He is the God of light and He is usually remembered for the brilliance and light in one’s life. The Gayatri Mantra of the Hindu Religion is also associated with the Sun God, Surya.

The Brahmin priest who performs the pujas ceremonies in the Surya lingam shrine is a fountain of wisdom and holiness. Having taken diksha from the Paramacharya of Kanchi, he has devoted his life to the service of God. In his humble abode behind the shrine he has a very elaborate puja room with a consecrated Shri Chakra mehru and many other Hindu gods. After the puja ceremony in the Surya lingam, devotees often sit at his feet in Satsangam and listen to his spiritual discourses.

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