Ratha Saptam is an auspicious festival for Hindus that is associated with the symbolic birth of Surya Dev or Sun God. It is the time the sun begins its journey in the northward direction, also known as Uttarayan. The winter season transitions to spring at this time, symbolising growth and renewal. As per the Hindu calendar, this auspicious festival is observed on the seventh day of the Shukla paksha of the month of Magha. Ratha Saptami 2026 will be observed on Sunday, January 25, this year. People will celebrate the festival by performing various spiritual, religious, cultural, and charitable activities.
What Is Ratha Saptami?
Ratha Saptami is a vibrant Hindu festival that celebrates the symbolic birth of Surya Dev. Some Hindu scriptures consider him an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the protector of the universe. He is the source of life and energy.
Ratha Saptami is derived from two words, “Ratha” and “Saptami.” Ratha is the chariot, and Saptami is the seventh day. Lord Surya rides a Ratha (chariot) drawn by seven horses. They represent the seven days of the week and the seven colours of the light.
Agricultural Significance of Ratha Saptami
Ratha marks the transition of the winter season to spring and signifies renewal and vitality. Moreover, it indicates the onset of the new harvesting season, bringing hope among farmers for bountiful crops and prosperity. Though Ratha Saptami is celebrated in various regions of India, it is a prominent festival in South India.
The Ratha Saptami importance is not just limited to the agrarian sector; it also has tremendous religious, spiritual, and cultural importance. People worship Surya Dev on this day to seek his divine blessings for getting rid of the sins from past lives. Moreover, the worship of the deity blesses them with health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
Advantages of Observing Ratha Saptami
As per Hindu beliefs and traditions, observing Ratha Saptami with sincerity grants various mental, physical, and spiritual benefits to people:
Enhances Health
People believe that worshipping Surya on this auspicious day helps to get rid of their diseases and enhances their immunity. Moreover, it cleanses their body and bestows positivity on them.
Wealth & Prosperity
People also believe that worshipping the deity grants them abundance and financial stability.
Wisdom & Knowledge
The worship enhances their intellect and decision-making and boosts their chances of getting academic success.
Fosters Spiritual Growth
People believe that performing rituals and activities on this day helps them get rid of their past sins. Moreover, it strengthens devotion and promotes inner peace in them.
Improves Energy & Vitality
Performing the traditions, rituals, and yogic practices associated with Ratha Saptami helps people align their body's energies with solar power. This resultantly improves their motivation and vitality.
Activities Performed on Ratha Saptami
Devotees perform various religious, spiritual, cultural, and charitable activities on Ratha Saptami:
Take a Holy Bath
People take a bath in a sacred river like the Ganga during Snan Muhurat in the early morning. Moreover, they offer Arghya to the sun during sunrise, chant mantras, and visualize the sun rays energizing their body. People can take a bath at home by mixing water with sesame seeds or Arka leaves.
Puja & Worship
People set up an altar with an idol or image of Lord Surya on a chariot pulled by seven horses. Moreover, they offer flowers, incense, fruits, and diyas to him. Rangolis feature prominently among Ratha Saptami images that people draw to welcome the deity. They include the images of the Sun God and his chariot. People’s belief behind drawing them is that it invites positive energy, good fortune, health, and prosperity to their home. Moreover, it wards off negativity from their lives.
Perform Fasting
Many people observe a complete or partial fast on this day, consuming only fruits or light sattvic food after sunset.
Do Charity
It is highly auspicious to donate food, money, or clothes to the needy on this day.
Tarapanam & Homam
In some traditions, men perform tarpanam, which involves offering water to ancestors. Priests also perform the Homams (fire rituals) on this day, where they chant Vedic mantras.
Visit Temples
People also visit famous temples dedicated to Surya Dev to pray for health and prosperity. Here, they participate in special Ratha Saptami celebrations and ceremonies. Some temples also organise processions with the deity in a chariot.
Make New Beginnings
This festival, associated with Lord Surya, symbolises vitality, promotes spiritual growth, and dispels ignorance. Therefore, it is ideal to initiate new ventures, particularly in the field of health and education.
Conclusion
Ratha Saptami is a highly auspicious festival that revolves around the worship of Lord Surya. It symbolises the journey of the Sun in the northward direction, the transition of the winter season to spring, and the start of the harvest season. Moreover, the festival signifies renewal, growth, and new beginnings. The festival holds immense cultural, spiritual, and religious importance for Hindus. Furthermore, it is an inherent part of the traditions of people across the country. Cottage9 helps promote religious fervour for such auspicious festivals by offering artistic and beautifully crafted idols and images of various deities.
