Rathasapthami also called as Rathasaptami is a festival devoted to Sun God Lord Surya Bhagavan. It falls on the Magha season Shukla Paksha (Bright Half of a month) on Saptami Thidi (7th Day). It is one of the important festivals that mostly comes in January Month of Every Year.
Why Is RathaSaptami Celebrated?
Lord Surya Bhagavan is one of the prominent deities in Hindu culture. It is believed that on this day, Lord Surya was born which is called Surya Jayanthi, and also as per Astrology and Vedic scriptures, Ratha Sapthami was marked as the day Lord Surya Bhagavan will turn his seven horses chariot towards North-easterly direction (Uttarayana).
During Uttarayana the Sun enters the Makara Rashi which is believed to be an auspicious event to perform several rituals to appease the Gods
During this time devotees perform a holy bath in rivers and leave Argyam to Lord Surya Narayana to bestow his energy on them as well for the wellbeing of their ancestors.
When Is RataSaptami in 2023?
According to the 2023 Hindu Calender, Ratasaptami falls on 28th January
Rituals to Perform During RathaSaptami
On this occasion, devotees observe the following activities
- Wake Up before Brahma Muhurtam (4:30 AM) in the morning
- A Holy bath is taken in a nearby river or Lake by placing Arka Leaves (Calotropis) and Fruits of India jujube on the head.
- During bathing one should chant the Arka Patra shloka and offer salutations to the Sun god by leaving Argyam
- Pongal (sweet dish) is cooked traditionally on the clay stove by decorating the utensil with turmeric and Kumkum or Vibhuti
- Lord Suryanarayana idol or photo frame is cleaned and decorated in the pooja mandir with red colour flowers such as Hibiscus.
- Divine stotras, and Ashtakams on Lord Surya Deva were recited
- A traditionally cooked dish is offered to Lord Surya and then every one of the family eats together
- In the evening, Children of the house will be showered with Indian jujube fruits and coins, this is known to castaways dosha’s and bring prosperity to the child
Slokas to Chant During RathaSaptami
On Rathasapthami there are different slokas to chant on Lord Surya Bhagavan to bestow his grace upon devotees. Here are the three important slokas to be recited
Sloka to Chant During Arka Snanam
On Ratasaptami the following sloka is chanted while bathing by putting 7 Arka leaves on the head. Arka leaves are considered to be auspicious offerings to Lord Surya. If you do not have access to Arka Leaves you can also use the leaves of Ziziphus mauritiana (Indian jujube)
SaptaSaptiPriye Devi SaptalokaikaDeepike
SaptaJanmaarjitam Papam Hara Saptami Satvaram
Shloka to Chant On Surya Mandala
Janani Sarvalokanam Saptami SaptaSaptike
SaptaVyhrutike Devi Namste SuryaMandale
This shloka is chanted praising Lord Surya as well as the Surya Mandala and its effects on the devotee. It is usually chanted during baths or during performing pooja. Chanting this Sloka is known to bring Wealth and Good Health to the Individual
Mantra to Chant on Ratha Saptami to Remove Bad Sins
This Mantra is mentioned in the Bhavishottara Puranam it is chanted to cast away seven types of sins committed during the seven births. Those who read this mantra and perform the holy bath during Ratha Saptami would bestow good health, wealth, and a peaceful mind by the grace of Lord Surya
Yatyat Janma Krutam Paapam Mayaa Saptama Janmasu
Tanmey rogancha shokancha maakareehantu saptamee
Etajjanam krutam paapam, yaccha janmaanta raari tajamey
Mano vaakaayajamyaccha Ghnaataaghnaateychayey punah
Iti sapta vidham paapam snanaantey sapta saptikey
Sapta vyaadhi samaayuktam haramaakaru Saptami
What to Cook on RathaSaptami?
On the eve of Ratasaptami, a special sweet dish called Pongal is offered to Lord Surya by preparing it in a traditional way.
It is generally cooked with new rice and cowmilk. A clean utensil generally made up of brass or clay is taken and decorated with namam.
It is placed on the clay stove and lit by the use of wooden sticks or cow dung. The entire cooking process is made under the presence of sunlight by stirring the dish with a sugarcane stick
Later, It is offered to Lord Surya’s idol in the pooja mandir
Spiritual Significance of RataSaptami
There are numerous benefits a devote can reap by performing Ratasaptami wholeheartedly. Here are few of them
- It is the day Lord Surya Deva enters into Uttarayana which is known to have the highest energy, taking part in this event can bestow a devotee with Health, Wealth, and Wellbeing overall
- As per Astrology, It was believed that performing rituals to Sri Surya Narayana Swamy on this day would remove any bad effects inflicted due to Surya Graha on one’s birth chart
- According to Mahabharata the Great Bhishma Pitamaha even though has lost the fight and fell on the arrow bed during Dakshinayana. He voluntarily waited and gave up his body only on the Uttarayana during Ratasaptami
- The spiritualistic bath done during this day by keeping Arka leaves and Jujube fruit on the head and chanting the mantra is known to remove one’s sins
- It was also marked as the day of the beginning of the spring season in India and farmers across the country offered thanks to Sun God for a fruitful harvest for the coming year
Temples To Visit During RathaSapthami
There are numerous temples dedicated to Lord Surya Narayana across India where Ratasaptami is grandly celebrated. Some of the prominent temples that can be visited during this auspicious time are
- Arasavalli Sun Temple – Dedicated to Lord Sri Suryanarayana, Arasavalli village, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
- Konark Sun Temple – Odisha
- Sri Suryanarayana Temple – Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
- Suriyanar Koil Temple – Kumbakonam, TamilNadu
- Sree Surya Narayana Swamy Temple – Domlur, Bangalore, Karnataka
