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Ratha Saptami

Surya dev

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Ratha Saptami

Why it is celebrated

Ratha Saptami falls on Magh Shukla Saptami and is also called Surya Jayanti or Magha Saptami. It is believed that Surya dev was born on this day, and that on this day he turns his seven-horse chariot towards the north. It is also seen as a sign that spring and the new harvest are coming.

The story

Surya dev is the son of Rishi Kashyap and Mata Aditi. The story says that once the asuras defeated the devtas and took away heaven. Seeing her sons' sorrow, Mata Aditi did hard tapas to Surya dev. Pleased, Surya dev appeared before her and promised to be born as her son.

In time a radiant child was born to Aditi, and his light lit up all four directions. As Aditi's son he was called Aditya, and also Martand. The asuras could not stand before Surya dev's brilliance, and the devtas got back the place they had lost.

The texts also say that at the start of a new age (manvantara), Surya dev received his divine chariot on this very tithi. Seven horses pull this chariot and Arun is its charioteer. The seven horses are seen as the seven colours of the rainbow and the seven days of the week.

Since then Magh Shukla Saptami has been celebrated as Surya dev's birthday and the festival of his chariot. The sun gives light to everyone every day without any difference; that is his greatest gift.

Puja vidhi

  1. Bathe before sunrise; by tradition, people bathe with seven aak (arka) leaves placed on the head and shoulders.
  2. After bathing, face east and offer arghya to the rising sun from a copper lota of water with red flowers and rice.
  3. Chant 'Om Suryaya Namah' or the Gayatri Mantra; recite the Aditya Hridayam if you can.
  4. Draw a rangoli of the Sun's chariot with seven horses in your courtyard.
  5. In many homes milk is boiled in a clay pot, and after it boils over, rice and jaggery are added to make kheer, which is offered to Surya dev.
  6. Give wheat, jaggery or clothes in daan and keep the day sattvic.

Food

Kheer (payasam) of milk, rice and jaggery, sweet pongal, sugarcane and seasonal fruit.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Ratha Saptami! May Surya dev's rays fill your life with light and enthusiasm.

  • A chariot of seven horses, Arun at the reins and the rising sun. May each of your days begin with new hope.

  • Pranam to Aditya dev on Surya Jayanti. May his light remove every darkness from your heart.

  • The sun gives light to all without difference; may we too be a light for everyone. Happy Ratha Saptami!

  • Aak leaves, the water of arghya and the Gayatri Mantra. May this holy morning be auspicious for your family.

  • May the warmth of the Magh sunshine always stay in your relationships. Glory to Surya dev!

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