ओम नम: सूर्याय शान्ताय सर्वरोग निवारिणे।
आयुररोग्य मैस्वैर्यं देहि देव: जगत्पते।।
Om Namah Suryaya Shantaya Sarva Roga Nivarinay|
Ayur Arogya Maiswaryam Dehi Deva Jagatpate||
Salutations to Bhagwan Surya, the peaceful one, the one who cures all diseases. Grant me longevity, health, and prosperity, God of the universe, bestow these upon me.
Ratha Saptami, often called the "Festival of the Sun God," also known as Surya Jayanti is a significant Hindu festival, celebrated to honour the Sun God, Suryadev, as the source of energy and life on the Earth.
myNachiketa presents significant information on Ratha Saptami or Surya Jayanti for children.
Ratha Saptami is celebrated on the seventh day (Saptami) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Magha (January-February). It marks the movement of the Sun's Chariot towards the northern hemisphere, which signals the beginning of warmer and brighter days. The day is also celebrated as Surya Jayanti, the birthday of Suryadev, the Sun God. Suryadev is considered the God of health and prosperity.
The name Ratha Saptami means the seventh day of the chariot and signifies Suryadev riding his chariot, drawn by seven horses, across the sky. These seven horses represent the seven days of the week and the seven colours of light. It is said that the Rath of Surydev has twelve wheels which represents twelve months of a year. The movement of the Sun is responsible for seasonal changes and the sustenance of life.
Celebrations of Ratha Saptami II Surya Jayanti II
On this day, devotees wake up before sunrise and bathe in rivers or holy water bodies such as the Ganga or Yamuna, performing a ritual bath called Arghya Snana. They place Arka leaves on their head, shoulders, and knees during the bath, for the purification of the body and mind. These leaves have medicinal uses and are loved by Suryadev who is the provider of good health, so during the Arghya Snana, people pray to Surya Bhagwan for good health and disease-free life.
Many people also draw beautiful rangoli designs depicting the Sun and his chariot outside their homes to show their respect and devotion for the Surya Bhagwan.
Many people observe a fast on this day, the eat fruits or other sattvic foods. Devotees perform Surya Puja by lighting lamps, offering red flowers, and preparing traditional dishes like kheer (sweet rice pudding) as an offering to the Sun. Doing Surya Namaskar on the day of Rath Saptami has a great importance.
Devotees visit temples dedicated to the Sun God in their region, to seek blessings. They chant Surya mantras and meditate on the energy of the Sun. Some of the famous Sun temples are the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat and Dakshinaarka Temple in Bihar.
On this day farmers pray for a good harvest, as the Sun's transition indicates the onset of longer days and warmer weather, important for crops to grow.
We should learn from the festival, just as Suryadev controls his horses and always drives them in the right direction, we should also try to control our minds that wander in different directions.
Ratha Saptami is a special day to thank the Surya Bhagwan for giving us light, warmth, and energy to help us grow and stay healthy. This day teaches us to be grateful for nature's blessings and to be protective and caring about them.
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