Hindus celebrate Ratha Saptami, also known as Magha Saptami, on the seventh day, or Saptami, of the bright half, or Shukla Paksha, of the month of Magha. The Sanskrit term for this holiday is रथसप्तमी. It is symbolized by the sun deity Surya moving his chariot, or rather, towards the northern hemisphere in a northeasterly direction, pulled by seven horses, which stand in for the seven colours.
Since it also commemorates the birth of Surya, it is also known as Surya Jayanti or the birthday of the sun deity. Ratha Saptami marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the harvest season. Most Indian farmers saw it as a fortunate start to the new year.
Ratha Saptami Background:
The Hindu Vedas have many references to sun worship, and this ancient practice is also linked to several global myths, including those from China, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. Adherents often repeat the Gayatri Mantra japa, the holy Vedic prayers to Savitr, the Vedic sun deity. As Puranic Hinduism developed, sun worship became more centralized. The sun god’s wife is described as sitting on a chariot drawn by two steeds in the Rigveda Mandala 10/Hymn 85.
Religious significance:
Ratha Saptami is metaphorically symbolized by the sun deity Surya turning his Ratha, driven by seven horses and pulled by Aruṇa, in a north-easterly path towards the northern hemisphere. The Ratha and the seven horses that reigned over it have symbolic meaning since they stand in for the seven rainbow hues. According to another legend, the seven horses stand in for the seven days of the week, beginning on Sunday, the day of the sun deity Surya.
The chariot’s twelve wheels, or the 12 signs of the zodiac—each with 30 degrees—represent the 360 degrees of a whole year or Samvatsara. The Sun resides in the sign of Leo (Simha), and he travels from one home to the next every month for a total of 365 days. The goal of the Ratha Saptami celebration is to invoke the sun god’s charitable cosmic dissemination of energy and light.
Ratha Saptami also anticipates the approach of spring, which is subsequently announced by the celebrations of Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, or the Hindu lunar New Year day in the month of Chaitra. It also signifies the steady rise in temperature throughout South India.
Ratha Saptami Puja Rituals:
- People worship the Sun God on this day because they think it would bring them luck and atone for their sins.
- Bathing in the early morning is seen as fortunate when done before the sun rises.
- Worship of the sun: Followers of Lord Surya perform rituals and prayers, frequently with the use of water, red flowers, and red fabric.
- Chanting mantras: It is said that reciting Surya mantras, such as the Aditya Hrudayam, will bring the benefits of the Sun God.
- Charity and donations: On this day, it is urged to give to the less fortunate and carry out acts of kindness.
- Fasting: To obtain heavenly benefits, some devotees undertake a full or partial fast.
- All year long, farmers hope and pray for a plentiful crop and good weather.
Ratha Saptami 2024: Date and time
- Saptami Tithi: February 15, 2024, at 10:12 a.m.
- Shubh Muhurat bathes: 5:17 am to 6:59 am.
- Ratha Saptami Civil Dawn: 6:35 a.m.
- Ratha Saptami’s observational sunrise time is 6:59 a.m.
- End of Saptami Tithi: February 16, 2024, 8:54 a.m.
