The Revanta of Konark

Once, Sangya, the daughter of celestial architect Vishvakarma and wife of Surya, unable to bear the radiance of the Sun-god, went into the forests to engage in devout austerities in the form of a mare (she horse). She placed her shadow Chhaya, who looked just like Sangya in her position as Surya’s wife. When Surya realised that Chhaya was not the real Sangya, he searched for Sangya and finally found her in the forests of Uttar Kuru. There, Surya approached Sangya disguised as a horse. Their union produced the twin-Ashvins and Revanta.

Surya assigned Revanta as the chief of the Guhyakas (attendants of Kubera like the Yakshas). He is usually seen carrying a sword in his right hand, while seated on a white horse. Revanta is often depicted wearing long boots reaching up to the calves, just like his father Surya.

In Saura cult (Sun Worship) Revanta was worshipped as the guardian deity of the warriors and horses, protector from the dangers of forests and the patron god of hunting.

The attached image (left) possibly is of Revanta where he is seen seated on a horse while wielding a sword in his right hand. He can also be seen wearing long boots. This image (encircled in a yellow rectangle, from right side image) is from a sculpture of Konark Sun Temple (right), currently on display at the National Museum, New Delhi. This is perhaps the only instance of Revanta amongst the available artifacts of Konark Sun Temple.