Ratha Saptami

Introduction

Ratha Saptami – also called Surya Jayanti or Magha Saptami – is the festival of Surya, the Sun God. It falls on Magha Shukla Saptami, the seventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magha. On this day the Sun is said to turn his chariot (ratha), drawn by seven horses, towards the north, bringing the warmth of spring. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the day begins before sunrise with a special bath and worship of the rising Sun, while Tirumala celebrates a grand one-day Brahmotsavam and the Sun temple at Arasavalli holds its biggest festival of the year.

Significance and Legend

According to tradition, Ratha Saptami is the birthday of Surya, born to Sage Kashyapa and Aditi, and the day on which he began to drive his chariot of seven horses – often explained as the seven colours of light – across the sky. Surya is worshipped as the visible form of the divine, the giver of light, health and life to the whole world, and so the day is also known as Arogya Saptami, the Saptami of good health. The next day, Bhishmashtami, is remembered as the day of Bhishma's passing, in the holy season of Uttarayana.

How it is Celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

• The seven-leaf bath: before sunrise, devotees bathe with seven jilledu (arka) leaves and seven regi (jujube) leaves placed on the head, a custom believed to wash away the sins of seven births.
• Surya arghya: facing the rising Sun, devotees offer water (arghya) and chant his names – Om Suryaya Namah, Om Bhaskaraya Namah, Om Adityaya Namah – or recite the Aditya Hridayam.
• Chariot muggu: many homes draw a muggu of the Sun's chariot with its seven horses at the doorstep.
• Puja in the open: a small pavilion of chikkudu (broad bean) leaves, flowers and fruits is arranged, an image of Surya is placed in it, and naivedyam is offered.
• Giving: gifts of umbrellas and footwear are considered especially meritorious on this day.

Rituals and Puja

• A holy bath at sunrise with the jilledu and regi leaves.
• Arghya to the rising Sun, followed by worship of Surya with red flowers, sandal paste and lamps.
• Recitation of the Aditya Hridayam or other hymns to the Sun.
• Naivedyam of payasam made with cow's milk, offered to the Sun.

Foods and Offerings

• Payasam made with cow's milk – the main offering to Surya, often cooked in the open, in the sunlight.
• Dishes made from wheat and simple sweets, offered to the Sun and shared as prasadam.

Temples Known for this Festival

• Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Arasavalli – Ratha Saptami is the grandest festival of this ancient Sun temple; celebrations begin before dawn with abhishekam and special alankarams, and lakhs of devotees from Uttarandhra and Odisha come for darshan of the Sun God.
• Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Tirumala – Ratha Saptami is celebrated as a one-day Brahmotsavam (also called Ardha Brahmotsavam). From sunrise to night, Sri Malayappa Swamy is taken around the four Mada streets on seven vahanams – the Surya Prabha at sunrise, then the Chinna Sesha, Garuda and Hanumantha vahanams, followed by the Chakrasnanam, and in the evening the Kalpavriksha, Sarvabhoopala and Chandra Prabha vahanams.

The next Ratha Saptami date is shown in the festival dates above. It falls on Magha Shukla Saptami as per the Telugu panchang.