Mandala of Surya, the Sun God, 16th century. Surya, the sun god, is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. He appears here at the centre of a double-lotus mandala, standing behind his charioteer, Aruna, who drives Surya¡¦s chariot across the sky each day, from dawn to sunset. The goddesses Usha and Pratyusha, Dawn and Pre-dawn, accompany him, shooting away darkness with their bows and arrows.