Ratha Sapthami/ Surya Jayanti 24/01/2018- A Day Dedicated to the Lord Surya [Sun God]

Ratha Sapthami which is dedicated to Surya Bhagawan, the Sun God. As per the tradition in Hinduism, Surya Bhagawan is believed to ride a chariot driven by seven horses – this form is worshiped during Rathasapthami puja and festival. Ratha Sapthami 2018 date is January 24. 

Surya Bhagawan

The festival is of great importance at the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple. It is said that the earth’s inclination towards the sun is steepest on the Ratha Sapthami day.The most important event on the day is the procession of Lord Venkateswara (Malayappaswamy) and his consorts atop seven Vahanams (vehicles).

Tirumala Tirupati Temple scriptures indicated that Ratha Sapthami (also written as Rathasapthami) is being organized from 1565. On the day, Lord Venkateswara along with His consorts Sri Devi and Bhudevi are taken on a procession around four mada streets atop seven vahanams – Suryaprabha Vahanam, Chinna Sesha Vahanam, Garuda Vahanam, Hanumantha Vahanam, Kalpavruksha Vahanam, Sarvabhoopala Vahanam, Chandraprabha Vahanam besides Chakrasnanam.

Sri Malayappa Swamy Surya Prabha Vahanam – , Tirumala – Andhra Pradesh, India

The uniqueness of the festival lies in the fact that devotees can view and get the blessing of Balaji atop different Vahanams. Even during the famous Brahmotsavams, Lord Balaji mounts only on two Vahanams (vehicles). But on the Ratha Sapthami day, devotees are blessed by the processional deities of Lord Venkateswara, Sri Devi and Bhudevi from sunrise to sunset on seven different Vahanams.

Ratha Sapthami is observed throughout India in different names. It is essentially the worship of Lord Surya (the sun god). The rituals vary from region to region.

Ratha Sapthami is observed on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha, or waxing phase of moon, in the Magh Month (January – February) in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The day is of great significance in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

In Orissa, the day is observed as Magha Sapthami. In other regions the day is observed as Surya Jayanti. Special rituals are also held on the day at temples dedicated to Surya especially at Arasavalli and Konark.

How to perform or observe Ratha Sapthami/ Surya Jayanti Puja

Rath Sapthami Puja 

Requirements for Rath Sapthami Puja

• Image/ Idol of  Surya Bhagawan
• Fragrant flowers for Puja
• Uncooked Rice
• Raw Bananas
• Ripe Bananas and other fruits
• Sesame seeds
• Coconut
• Betel leaves
• Betel nuts
• Jaggery (Sugar)
• Turmeric powder

The house is cleaned and festoons of mango leaves are installed in all the important places on the evening of the previous day of the Puja or early morning of the Puja day.

Ritual Bathing of Ratha Sapthami with Erukku [Calotropis gigantea] leaves

Washing hair on the day with leaves of Giant milkweed (Erukku Plant) on head is done by many people. There is a belief that Erukku plant has therapeutic and curative properties. Medicinal Uses of Erukku Leaves Click

In some regions, people place some uncooked rice on stacked Erukku leaves and take bath. Women add a little turmeric powder to the uncooked rice. Seven Erukku leaves are stacked together and placed on the head.Earlier, this ritual bath used to be taken in a holy river. Nowadays, it is done at home.

Oil is not applied on the hair on the day.

Mantra before taking Bath

Yath Yath Janma Krutham Papam, Maya Sapthasu, Janmasu
Thanme Rogam Cha, Sogam Cha Maakaaree Handu Sapthami
Saptha Saptami Priyae  Devi, Saptha Loka Supoojithe
Saptha Janmarjitham  Papam Hara Sapthami Sath Varam

Mantra After Taking Bath

Saptha Sapthami Vaha Preetha, Saptha  Loka Pratheepana 
Sapthamya Sahitho Deva, Gruhaana  Argyam Diwakara (3 Times)

---

Saptha Sapthe Priyae Devi Saptha Lokaika Dheepikae Saptha Janmaarjitham Paapam Hara Sapthami Sathwaram
Yan Mayaathra Krutham Paapam Poorvam Sapthasu Janmasu That Sarvam Shoka Mohow Maakari Hanthu Sapthami
Namaami Sapthameem Devim Sarva Paapa Pranaasineem Saptha Pathra Arka Pathra Snaanena Mama Paapam Vyapohathu

---

Ratha Sapthami Kolam

After body purification, the Ratha Sapthami kolam is drawn. Lord Surya in a chariot or simple picture of Surya is the preferred kolam.(Pictures of Ratha Kolam)

Just an example

• In  a  wooden plank, draw a  chariot(Kolam), with Only One Wheel).  (Either in pooja room or in a place where we get morning sunlight)
• Draw / keep Surya baghawan in the chariot
• Do Aachamanam

Take minute quantities of water (just sufficient to soak one grain of black gram)   three times in the right hand and take it with the following manthra.

Om Achyuthaya namah
Om Ananthaya namah
Om Govindaya namah

• Then,

          Evamguna Viseshana Visishtayam, Shuba Thi Thou, Ma Ma, 
    Sarva Peeshta Sidhyartham, Barathi Ramana Mukya Pranantharkatha,
    Shri Vishnu Prae Ranaya, Preethiyartham, Savithru Namaka
    Sri Surya Narayana Poojam Karishya

• Then recite Surya Gayathri Mantra

Surya Gayathri

Om Aswadwajaya Vidhmahe
Pasa Hasthaya Dheemahe
Thanno Surya Prachodayat

Om Bhaaskaraaya vidmahe
Divaakaraaya dheemahi
tanno Suryah prachodayat

Om Bhaaskaraaya vidmahe
Mahaatejaaya dheemahi
tannah Suryah prachodayat

Om Bhaaskaraaya vidmahe
mahaadyutikaraaya dheemahi
tanno Aadityah prachodayat

Prayers and Mantras that are chanted on Ratha Saptami

• Surya Sahasranama
• Aditya Hrudhayam
• Gayatri Mantra
• And other prayers dedicated to Surya like the Surya Ashtakam.

The Ratha Saptami Puja

• The puja starts with a simple prayer to Lord Ganesha by lighting the lamp.
• Some people first take the blessings of the family deity; followed by a prayer to Ganesha.
• Some flowers and turmeric mixed with uncooked rice is placed near the deity and Ganesha.
• The Surya Puja commences by first anointing the chariot (Ratha) of Surya with turmeric and kumkum. (This can be done on the idol or image of Surya or on a Ratha kolam drawn on a wood piece.)
• Uncooked rice, jaggery (sugar), lentils, flowers, turmeric mixed with uncooked rice is kept on the Ratha (chariot).
• The puja to Surya is performed by offering betel leaves, betel nuts, coconut and yellow bananas, fruits and milk. (For a simple puja you can offer flowers and chant Gayatri mantra.) & Sweet Pongal for Neive
  
• Perform Arati in the normal way you do.
• You can now meditate or chant Aditya Hridayam or any shloka dedicated to Surya that you know.

Some people opt for an elaborate Suryanarayana Puja and this requires the help of elders or a priest.

Fasting On Ratha Saptami

Some people opt for a complete fast and others opt for a fast from sunrise to sunset on the day.

Various types of alms giving/ daanam are performed by some communities on the day. There is a popular belief that donating things during this period will help in attaining moksha.

 

Edit 1: Dates for 2018 Changed

With Various Inputs – MI