Ratha Saptami, Ratha Saptami 2024 Date
Saptami Tithi is dedicated to Lord Surya. Shukla Paksha Saptami tithi in Magha month is known as Ratha Saptami or Magha Saptami. It is believed that Lord Surya Dev started enlightening the whole world on Ratha Saptami day which is considered as birth day of God Surya. Thus this day is also known as Surya Jayanti. Suryadev was born to Sage Kashyap and Aditi. Normally, Ratha Saptami falls two days after Shri Panchami or Vasant Panchami.
Ratha Saptami Significance & Rituals
Ratha Saptami is made of two words- ‘Ratha’ means Chariot and ‘Saptami’ means seventh. Ratha Saptami or Surya Jayanti is highly auspicious day and it is considered as auspicious as Surya Grahan for Dan-Punya activities. A person can get rid of all type of sins by worshipping Lord Surya and observing fast on this day. It is believed that seven types of sins done, knowingly, unknowingly, by words, by body, by mind, in current birth and in previous births are washed off by worshipping Lord Surya on the day of Ratha Saptami.
The Ratha Saptami day also denotes the journey of Lord Surya to the Northern hemisphere in his chariot. It marks the arrival of summer and indicates a change in the climatic conditions across the regions of Southern India. It also symbolizes the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers.
A person should take bath during Arunodaya on the day of Ratha Saptami. Ratha Saptami Snan is one of the important rituals and is suggested during Arunodaya only. Arunodaya period prevails for four Ghatis (approx. one and half hour for Indian locations if we consider one Ghati duration as 24 minutes) before sunrise. If a person takes bath before sunrise during Arunodaya, it keeps the person healthy and free from all types of ailments and diseases. Because of this great belief Ratha Saptami is also known as Arogya Saptami. Taking bath in water body like Ganga river, canal etc. is preferred over taking bath at home. We have listed here Arunodaya period and sunrise time for most cities across the world.
After taking bath Lord Surya should be worshipped during sunrise by offering Arghyadan (अर्घ्यदान) to Him. Arghyadan is performed by slowly offering water to Lord Surya from small Kalash with folded hand in Namaskar Mudra while facing Lord Sun in standing position. After this ignite a pure Ghee diya and worship Sun God with Kapoor, Dhup, and red flowers. By doing morning Snan, Dan-Punya and Arghyadan to Suryadev, who is considered an incarnation of Sri Vishnu, one is bestowed with long life, good health and prosperity.
The day of Ratha Saptami is also known as Magha saptami, Achala Saptami, Suryaratha saptami and aarogya saptami. It is believed that worshipping Lord Suryadev on Ratha Saptami gives a person happiness, health, wealth, prosperity and children.
A one-day Brahmotsavam is held in Tirumala Tirupati Temple (TTD Andhra Pradesh) on Ratha Saptami and grand festivities are also held at Shri Manguesh Temple, Mallikarjun Temple and also in various regions of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. On this day, devotees pay their tributes to the Sun god and thank him for making human race survive and flourish. Chanting Gayatri Mantra, Suryadev mantra, Suryadev chalisa, Surya Sahasranama, Suryashtakam and Suryadev aarti is considered very auspicious on this day. Aditya hridaya stotra (आदित्य हृदय स्तोत्र) dedicated to Sun God can also be read or listen to. Offering food to the needy and poor on this day is considered a sacred deed which can remove all despair and darkness from your life.
When is Ratha Saptami in 2024?
Ratha Saptami 2024 Shubh Muhurat
Ratha Saptami 2024 Date - Friday, February 16, 2024
Snan Muhurat on Ratha Saptami - 05:17 AM to 06:59 AM
Duration - 01 Hour 42 Mins
Saptami Tithi Begins - 10:12 AM on Feb 15, 2024
Saptami Tithi Ends - 08:54 AM on Feb 16, 2024
