- Ratha Saptami, a Hindu festival, celebrates the birth of the sun god Surya.
- It marks the start of spring and the sun’s journey northward, important for farmers seeking blessings for a good harvest.
- Observances include early morning prayers, fasting, and acts of charity, reflecting gratitude and community spirit.
Ratha Saptami, also known as Magha Saptami, is a special Hindu festival celebrated on February 16 this year. It’s all about honoring the sun god, Surya. The name “Ratha Saptami” comes from two words: “Ratha” means chariot, and “Saptami” means the seventh day. This festival falls on the seventh day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Magha.
According to the Hindu calendar, this year, Ratha Saptami begins at 10:12 am on February 15 and ends at 8:54 am on February 16. The best time to take a bath for purification is from 5:17 am to 6:59 am, with civil dawn happening at 6:35 am and sunrise observed at 6:59 am.
Ratha Saptami has deep roots in Hindu mythology. It’s said that Sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi were blessed with Surya, the sun god, who was one of the Adityas. Another story tells of a king named Yashovarma who prayed for a son and performed Ratha Saptami rituals to cure his terminally ill child. Miraculously, his son recovered, and the king’s reign continued.
This festival holds significance as it marks the beginning of the spring season and the start of the sun’s journey towards the northern hemisphere. Farmers, especially, see it as an auspicious time to seek blessings for a fruitful harvest and favorable weather. Many visit sun temples to offer prayers.
On Ratha Saptami, people wake up early to offer prayers to the rising sun and observe a day-long fast. It’s a time for expressing gratitude towards the sun, which brings warmth and light, making life possible on earth. Additionally, it’s considered a good day for acts of charity like donating clothes and food to the less fortunate.