“Ratha Saptami”, also known as “Surya Jayanti” or “Magha Saptami”, is a highly auspicious Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God. Observed on the seventh day (Saptami) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the Hindu month of Magha, this festival marks the birth anniversary of Surya Bhagwan. As per the Gregorian Calendar, it lies in the month of January or February.
This year, we are commemorating the divine occasion of “Ratha Saptami” on the 4th of February 2025.
As per “Drik Panchang”, the “tithi” for “Ratha Saptami” in the year 2025 is as follows:
It is believed that on this day, Lord Surya began enlightening the universe with his divine rays. Celebrated with great devotion across India, especially in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, “Ratha Saptami” symbolizes the transition of the Sun towards the Northern Hemisphere, heralding the arrival of warmer days and the start of the harvest season.
*Ratha Saptami” holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. It is considered as auspicious as a solar eclipse for performing charitable and virtuous deeds (Daan-Punya). Worshipping Lord Surya on this day is believed to cleanse individuals of seven types of sins—whether committed knowingly or unknowingly, through words, actions, or thoughts, across both current and past lives. The Sun God, regarded as the ultimate source of life and health, is worshipped to attain longevity, good health, and prosperity. The day is also known as “Arogya Saptami”, emphasizing its association with health and well-being.
Additionally, “Ratha Saptami” signifies the movement of Surya Dev's chariot, driven by seven white horses, symbolizing the seven days of the week and the seven chakras in the human body. The festival marks a spiritual journey towards enlightenment and renewal.
“Ratha Saptami” is observed with various rituals that hold deep religious significance. Devotees wake up early to take a holy bath during the Arunodaya period—about one and a half hours before sunrise.
As per “Drik Panchang”,
This ritual bath is believed to purify the body and soul, ensuring freedom from ailments and promoting overall well-being. Many prefer to bathe in sacred rivers or water bodies, while in Tamil Nadu, the ritual is performed using Erukku leaves.
After the sacred bath, devotees perform Arghyadan, a key ritual where water is offered to the Sun God while standing in Namaskar Mudra and facing the rising sun. This offering is traditionally performed 12 times, accompanied by the chanting of the twelve names of Surya Bhagwan.
Following the Arghyadan, devotees light a ghee lamp and offer prayers with incense sticks (dhup), camphor (kapoor), and red flowers. Devotional songs and hymns such as the Gayatri Mantra, Surya Sahasranaam, and Adityahridayam are chanted to invoke divine blessings.
Women in several regions celebrate by drawing beautiful rangoli patterns depicting the Sun God and his chariot at the entrance of their homes. Another popular tradition involves boiling milk in earthen pots facing the Sun, which is then used to prepare a special sweet rice dish (Paramannam) offered as bhog to Surya Dev.
“Ratha Saptami” is deeply rooted in Hindu Shastras and is associated with various legends that emphasize the divine grace of Lord Surya and the spiritual significance of this auspicious day. These legends highlight the power of the Sun God in bestowing health, prosperity, and spiritual liberation.
According to Hindu texts, Sage Kashyapa, one of the revered Saptarishis, was married to Aditi, the mother of the Devas. It is believed that Lord Surya, the Sun God, was born to Aditi and Kashyapa as their divine son. As per the legend, on the day of “Ratha Saptami”, Lord Surya commenced His journey across the sky in his golden chariot drawn by seven white horses, illuminating the entire universe. This event marked the beginning of enlightenment and cosmic order, making “Ratha Saptami” the symbolic birth anniversary of the Sun God. Worshipping Lord Surya on this day is believed to grant divine blessings, health, and spiritual growth.
Another popular legend associated with “Ratha Saptami” is that of King Yashovarma, a righteous and just ruler who suffered from a severe illness that no physician could cure. The king, in his despair, sought the guidance of sages who advised him to observe the sacred “Ratha Saptami” rituals with utmost devotion. Following their advice, King Yashovarma took a holy bath during Arunodaya, performed Arghyadan to Lord Surya, and worshipped Him with unwavering faith. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Surya blessed the king with good health and a long life, free from all ailments. Since then, it has been a popular belief that observing “Ratha Saptami” rituals can cure diseases and promote well-being, which is why the festival is also known as Arogya Saptami (the Saptami of good health).
In another ancient tale, Sage Agastya, known for his wisdom and spiritual power, is said to have performed rigorous penance to please Lord Surya. It is believed that when the sage was seeking divine knowledge and spiritual enlightenment, Lord Surya appeared before him and imparted the sacred knowledge of the Aditya Hridayam, a powerful hymn that glorifies the Sun God and provides strength, wisdom, and vitality. The hymn was later recited by Lord Rama on the battlefield of Lanka to defeat Ravana, highlighting the Sun God's supreme power and the significance of devotion to him. Observing “Ratha Saptami” and chanting sacred hymns dedicated to Lord Surya is believed to bestow inner strength, success, and divine grace.
A well-known depiction of Lord Surya portrays him riding a magnificent golden chariot driven by seven white horses, symbolizing the seven colors of light and the seven days of the week. His charioteer, Aruna, drives the chariot across the sky, ensuring the cycle of day and night. According to Shastras, “Ratha Saptami” marks the transition of Surya’s chariot towards the northern hemisphere, signifying the arrival of longer days, the onset of warmer weather, and the beginning of the agricultural season in India. Devotees believe that praying to the Sun God on this day helps overcome darkness and ignorance, leading to spiritual enlightenment and prosperity.
In the context of “Ratha Saptami”, the number seven holds great significance. The seven horses of Lord Surya’s chariot are said to represent the seven chakras (energy centers) in the human body. It is believed that worshipping the Sun on “Ratha Saptami” helps in aligning and balancing these chakras, leading to physical and spiritual well-being. Additionally, it is believed that performing the sacred bath ritual during Arunodaya on “Ratha Saptami” cleanses a person from the seven types of sins—those committed knowingly and unknowingly, by thoughts, words, and deeds, and from past and present lifetimes.
The legends of “Ratha Saptami” emphasize the Sun God's divine grace, his role as the source of life and energy, and the importance of honoring Him for health, prosperity, and spiritual progress. Observing the rituals and honoring Lord Surya on this auspicious day is believed to bring light, knowledge, and positivity into one's life.
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in various parts of India, with special events and pujas held at prominent Sun temples. The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh hosts grand celebrations where devotees gather to seek the Sun God's blessings. Other notable temples include the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha and the Suryanar Kovil Temple in Tamil Nadu.
In South Indian states, special dishes are prepared and distributed as prasad, while in Northern India, charitable acts such as distributing food and clothes to the needy are emphasized. Farmers also celebrate “Ratha Saptami” as the onset of the harvest season, marking it as an auspicious time for agricultural activities.
Observing “Ratha Saptami” is believed to bring numerous spiritual and health benefits. Worshipping Surya Dev on this day enhances vitality, cures ailments, and strengthens the body's immunity. Many devotees believe that consistent observance of Ratha Saptami can lead to liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Moksha).
In addition to its religious aspects, the festival encourages an early morning routine, exposure to sunlight, and charitable acts—practices that contribute to overall well-being and social harmony.
“Ratha Saptami” is not just a festival but a celebration of life, light, and spiritual progress. It emphasizes the importance of the Sun as the ultimate source of energy and health while encouraging virtues like gratitude, discipline, and generosity. By participating in the rituals and observing the fast with devotion, one can experience divine blessings and inner transformation.
As devotees across India and the world prepare to celebrate “Ratha Saptami”, the festival serves as a beautiful reminder of the eternal bond between humanity and nature, inspiring a life of righteousness and wellness.
A period of darkness doesn’t prevail throughout. Instead, it is replaced by a bright sunrise the next day. Our lives make a compilation of these dark and brighter days, helping us learn and grow with our experiences. Vedic Astrology, spirituality, numerology and coaching enable you to hone the power of optimism and triumph the darkness with a positive stride.
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