Ratha Saptami is the day dedicated to God Surya. On the day, Hindus worship Sun as their provider of energy and resources. Sun is the celestial body that makes life possible on Earth. It is the one that provides us warmth, energy, weather, crops, and everything with which life happens. Thus on Ratha Saptami, we worship Sun as a form of gratitude to thank him for all the resources.
The festival is usually observed in the month of Magha, which is the duration of mid-January to mid-February. The day also marks the birth of Lord Sun, and hence the day is also called “Surya Jayanti.” The date, however, changes every year based on the moon phases in the calendar.
The Meaning of Ratha Saptami
“Ratha” means chariot, and “Saptami” means 7th. This is the period when Lord Surya turns his Ratha or chariot, which is drawn by his seven horses, represents seven colors and seven days of the week to the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere.
This is an important duration from the Hindu’s point of view since the day is the beginning of Uttarayan. It is believed that those who meet death during this period attain salvation. The period goes on for six long months before Sun travels back to the southern hemisphere and the winters begin.
The festival is also marked by the arrival of Vasant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Pooja, as it happens after two days of Vasant Panchami.
The Legend of the Auspicious Ratha Saptami
The legend takes us back to the time when once there was a King. The King had no son to carry on his kingdom, and hence he prayed for one. Soon his prayers were answered, and the kingdom got its successor. However, his happiness was short-lived since the King’s son developed a chronic illness.
Restless King approached many sages and wise saints upon which he was advised by one sage to worship Sun on Ratha Saptami. The King did the same, and soon his son was healed completely. He lived long and ran the kingdom well after the death of the King.
To worship Sun on Ratha Saptami, you need the following items:
• An idol or picture of the Sun.
• Leaves and fragrant flowers.
• Green bananas.
• Uncooked rice.
• Some fruits.
• Coconut
• Sesame seeds
• Betel nuts
• Betel leaves
• Turmeric powder
• Sugar (jaggery)
• Mango leaves
Rituals of Ratha Saptami Pooja
Before performing the puja, you need to clean the home and the puja room well. Decorate the puja place with mango leaves. Light a lamp in front of the idol of Lord Surya and start praying to Ganesha first. You can also remember your family deities or kula devatas.
Get the flowers and uncooked rice; mix them with turmeric and place them near the idol of Ganesha.
Apply some Kumkum and turmeric to the Ratha of Sun. Now place jaggery, flowers, uncooked rice, lentils, and turmeric mixed uncooked rice on the Ratha.
Place the rest of the items betel leaves, betel nuts, milk, fruits, banana, and coconut in front of Surya’s idol.
Now perform an Arti by chanting the Surya mantra or Aditya Hridayam Mantra. You can sit there for a few minutes in a meditation position and evoke Lord Surya and say your prayers to him.
Some people also observe a fast on the day to worship Sun more effectively and to gain the benefits of the day. You can observe a fast from sunrise to sunset while eating only fast-friendly foods.
There is also a ritual of bathing with Gaint milkweed or Erukku that you can follow.
Mantras to be chanted on Ratha Saptami day
There are two mantras to be chanted on this day. One should be chanted when taking a bath, and the other when offered the water to the Sun.
Snana Sankalpa Mantra
YadyajjanmakRutam paapam mayaa saptasu janmasu |
tanmE rOgam cha shOkam cha maakarI hantu saptamI |
EtajjanmakRutam paapam jachcha janmaantaraarjitam |
manOvaakkaayajam yachcha jnaataaj Jnaatam cha yatpuna: |
iti saptavidham paapam snaanaanmE sapta saptakE |
saptavyaadhisamaayuktam hara maakari saptami |
Soorya Arghya Mantra
SaptasaptivahaprIta saptalOkapradIpana |
saptamI sahitO dEva gRuhaaNaarGyam divaakara |
This is how you worship Lord Surya and express your gratitude. Lord Surya fulfills all your wishes if you worship him with your heart; he is the provider of long, healthy life, wealth, and prosperity.
