The first thing that comes to mind in Magha Month is the Ratha Saptami or Surya Jayanthi. It is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu Calendar. It marks the day on which the Sun came into being and it even represents the turning of the sun towards the northern hemisphere. It even refers to the Chariot which is driven by seven horses. This year, we can witness the Ratha Sapthami on 19th February as per the Gregorian Calendar.
Ratha Sapthami is celebrated on the Seventh day of Magha Masam Shukla Paksha and this day is meant to worship the God Sun. As it is the festival of Sun God, it is celebrated with great pomp and joy in the Sun Temples all over India.
When is Ratha Saptami in 2021?
In 2021, the festival of Lord Surya Bhagwan ie., Ratha Saptami falls on Friday, February 19, 2021.
- Snan Muhurat on Ratha Saptami is from 05:14 to 06:56 (Duration: 01 hour 42 mins).
- Saptami date begins – 18 February 2021, Thursday 8 am
- Saptami date ends – 19 February 2021, Friday morning at 10:58 am
- Arunoday on Saptami – 6:32 in the morning
- Observable sunrise on Saptami – 6:56 am
Ratha Saptami 2021 Tithi
Saptami Tithi starts at 08:17 on Feb 18, 2021, and ends at 10:58 on Feb 19, 2021.
Ratha Sapthami and its Significance
Usually, the seven horses which drive the Chariot of the Sun God represent the seven colors of the rainbow. On the other hand, twelve wheels of the Chariot are for Twelve Zodiac Signs that are thirty degrees apart. This representation is the total duration that the Earth takes to revolve around the Sun. Furthermore, the Seven Horses even represent seven days of a week.
Surya Dev’s Chariot is driven by his brother Aruna and the festival Ratha Sapthami symbolizes the movement of the sun towards the northern hemisphere. If you consider technically the day even represents the change of a season. It has much importance among farmers as they gear up to harvest their crops.
Lord Surya is mentioned in Vedas which are believed to be the oldest scriptures known to mankind. Vedas or Apaurusheya means the one not created by man. Thus the references to Sun God trace back to the Olden Days. There is no life on Earth without Sun and therefore the Significance.
What one must do on Ratha Saptami?
There is a myth that people need to do a ceremonial bath before the sunrise to get rid of their sins. People living on the banks of holy rivers like Narmada, Ganges, Yamuna, Tapathi have a chance to dip in the sacred water. After finishing the bath, devotees do Argya a ritual in which they offer water to Sun God. Taking a bath before Sunrise helps in the perspective of health and well-being. People even take an active part in offering food, money, clothes to the needy.
Ratha Saptami Pooja Vidanam in Telugu
Rituals on Ratha Saptami Festival
Devotees wake up early in the morning before sunrise and take a holy bath on the day of Ratha Saptami. The importance of taking a holy bath at the time of Ratha Saptami 2021 is making a person free from all and ailments and bestow good health. Hence, the festival is also popularly known as ‘Arogya Saptami’.
Once a holy bath is completed, devotees must offer ‘Arghyadan’ to Sun God at the time of sunrise. Later, light up a lamp and worship Sun God by offering red flowers, Kapoor, and dhoop. In the entire day, chanting ‘Gayatri Mantra’ and reciting ‘Surya Sahasranaam’, ‘Adityahridayam’ or ‘Suryashtakam’ or is considered very auspicious on Surya Jayanti 2021 day.
Ratha Saptami is recognized as auspicious as Surya Grahan for Dan-Punya activities. It is also thought that seven types of sins are done, knowingly, unknowingly, by words, body, mind, in current birth, and in previous births are killed by worshipping Lord Surya on this auspicious day.