Ratha Saptami Shri Aditya Puja: Vishesha Surya Seva for Health, Energy & Longevity

Ratha Saptami is a sacred and auspicious day in Hindu tradition, dedicated to worship, purification, and devotion to Pratyaksha Bhagwan Shri Suryanarayana, the Sun God. Also known as Surya Jayanti, Arogya Jayanti, and Magha Saptami, this festival is celebrated for its numerous benefits, including health, prosperity, and longevity.

On this day, devotees perform rituals and prayers using Arka leaves, offer Arghya (water) to the Sun, and engage in charitable acts. These practices are believed to cleanse the mind and body, bring good fortune, and relieve ailments, guiding devotees toward physical well-being and spiritual enlightenment.

Sacred Tales and Historical Significance

Ratha Saptami falls on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half of the Magha month (January or February). It marks the Sun’s transition into the northern hemisphere, symbolizing the arrival of spring, the harvest season, and the Sun God’s chariot (Ratha) journey toward the northern skies.

The Legend of King Yashovarma

The festival is linked to the story of King Yashovarma, a ruler of the Kamboja kingdom. Childless for years, he prayed for a son, and his wish was granted. However, his son became gravely ill. A sage advised the king to observe Ratha Saptami rituals and worship Surya. After following the rituals, the prince recovered and went on to become a wise and just ruler.

The Birth of Surya

Ratha Saptami is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Surya, the Sun God. According to Hindu scriptures, Surya was born to Sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi on this day. This divine birth is why the day is called Surya Jayanti.

The Story of Bhishma Pitamaha

The day also connects to the Mahabharata’s Bhishma Pitamaha. After the Kurukshetra war, Bhishma lay on a bed of arrows, burdened by guilt. Bhagwan Shri Krishna and Sage Vyasa consoled him, placing Arka leaves on his body to purify his sins. Bhishma attained peace through meditation and left his body the next day, commemorated as Bhishmashtami.

Ratha Saptami, enriched with legends and spiritual practices, continues to inspire devotees, symbolizing purification, divine blessings, and the triumph of light over darkness.

Significance and Powerful Benefits of Ratha Saptami Pooja

Ratha Saptami is a highly significant day in Hindu culture, symbolizing the Sun's journey toward the Northern Hemisphere. This festival celebrates the birth of Suryanarayana, the Sun God, and offers profound spiritual, health, and moral benefits:

• Symbol of Purification: The rituals involve using Arka leaves, symbolizing purification. Worshiping Surya on this day is believed to cleanse sins from past and present lives while also helping to overcome physical and mental ailments.
• Health & Longevity: Surya is revered as the God of health and well-being. Prayers and rituals performed on Ratha Saptami are said to bring good health, long life, and spiritual purity, freeing devotees from diseases.
• Surya’s Blessings: Known as the giver of energy, wealth, and vitality, Surya is worshiped for blessings of health, prosperity, and longevity. Performing Surya Namaskar (108 sun salutations) on this day is particularly auspicious.
• Acts of Charity (Daan-Punya): Ratha Saptami is an ideal occasion for charity, such as donating food or supporting temples. These acts bring spiritual rewards, prosperity, and happiness.
• Symbol of Seasonal Change: The day marks the arrival of summer and longer daylight hours. This natural transition symbolizes new beginnings, growth, and transformation, aligning with the festival’s themes of renewal and prosperity.

Ratha Saptami inspires devotees with its profound connection to health, purity, spiritual growth, and the harmony of nature.

Procedure of Worship and Rituals to be Done for Ratha Saptami

The day of Ratha Saptami is filled with rituals that honour Bhagwan Surya and invoke his blessings. The procedure for worship includes the following steps:

• Holy Bath (Ratha Saptami Snan): Devotees begin the day with a sacred bath during the Arunodaya (twilight before dawn). Bathing at this time is believed to cleanse the body and mind, promoting health and curing ailments. In some regions, seven Arka leaves (Erukku/Ekka/Calotropis gigantea) are placed on the head during the bath for their healing properties.
• Offering Arghya to the Sun (Arghyadan): After the holy bath, devotees face the rising Sun and perform Arghyadan, offering water to Bhagwan Surya using a small vessel (Kalash). This ritual is performed 12 times, representing the 12 months, while chanting Surya’s 12 names to seek blessings.
• Worship with Offerings: Red flowers, incense, camphor, and ghee lamps (deepaks) are offered to Surya dev during the worship. These offerings are believed to bring prosperity, health, and protection from illnesses.
• Special Prayers and Mantras: Chanting sacred hymns and mantras is central to Ratha Saptami worship. This mantra invokes Surya’s energy, symbolizing health, vitality, and spiritual growth. Devotees recite Surya Beej Mantra:
  • Sanskrit: ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः।
  • Transliteration: Om Hram Hreem Hroum Sah Suryaya Namah.
  • Om – The universal sound, invoking the presence of the divine.
  • Hram – Represents the energy of Surya, symbolizing health and strength.
  • Hreem – Represents purity and the divine energy of Surya.
  • Hroum – The bija (seed) sound of the Sun, associated with vitality and power.
  • Sah – The sacred sound invoking the power of Surya.
  • Suryaya – To the Sun God, Surya.
  • Namah – A respectful salutation or bowing to the deity.
• Aditya Hrudayam: It is a long powerful hymn dedicated to Surya (the Sun God), which is found in the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. It is said to have been narrated by Sage Agastya to Bhagwan Shri Rama to invoke the blessings of the Sun God and grant him strength, victory, and spiritual upliftment. Reciting Aditya Hrudayam is believed to bring many powerful benefits.
• Rangoli and Home Rituals: In South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, people create beautiful Kolams (rangoli designs) to symbolize the chariot and the seven horses of Bhagwan Surya’s vehicle. The Kolam is made using rice flour, and the design represents the solar chariot. Milk is placed in mud pots, and devotees boil it facing the Sun, offering it as part of a sweet dish called Paramannam, which is then offered to Surya.
• Acts of Charity (Daan-Punya): Devotees engage in acts of charity on Ratha Saptami, as it is believed that any donation made on this day brings immense merit and blessings. Charity in the form of food, clothing, or financial contributions to temples is considered particularly auspicious.
• Temple Processions and Special Rituals: Many temples, especially those dedicated to Shri Vishnu or Surya Dev, conduct special Ratha Yatras (chariot processions) on this day. A notable example is the Veera Venkatesha Ratha Yatra in Mangalore, also known as Kodial Teru.

Seva Details

JyotirGamaya is pleased to organize special Sevas to Bhagwan Shri Suryanarayana on the auspicious day of Ratha Saptami. These Sevas will be performed by experienced Vedic priests in a temple, ensuring devotion and authenticity. Devotees can book these Sevas online to receive the divine blessings of Ratha Saptami.

Detailed Seva Description:

• Arghya Offering: A ritual offering of water to Surya dev to seek his blessings.
• Panchamrut Abhisheka: A sacred bathing ceremony using five purifying ingredients (milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar).
• Alankara with Arka Garlands: Decorating the deity with beautiful garlands made from Arka flowers, symbolizing purification, and prosperity.
• Naivedya / Bhog Offerings: Presenting offerings to Bhagwan Surya, including:
  • Coconut
  • Pancha Phala (five types of fruits)
  • Sweet Payasam made from wheat
• Sahasra Jaap of Surya Beej Mantra: Chanting the powerful Surya Beej Mantra 1,000 times to invoke Surya’s divine energy and blessings.
• Aditya Hrudayam Recitation: A profound recitation of Aditya Hrudayam 12 times, signifying the 12 months of the year.

These Sevas are designed to help devotees purify themselves spiritually, enhance their health and prosperity, and connect with the divine energy of Bhagwan Shri Suryanarayana. All rituals will be conducted with Shraddha (dedication) and Bhakti (devotion) to ensure a meaningful experience for Sevakarthas.