Ratha Sapthami
Venue :  Chennai
Date    :  February 16, 2024



Sun worship is deep rooted in the Vedas. Ratha Saptami marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement starting from Capricorn .It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God turning his chariot (Ratha) drawn by seven horses towards the northern hemisphere. The ratha and the seven horses reigned to it represent the seven colours of the rainbow. The seven horses also represent the seven days of a week starting with Sunday, the day of Sun god. The chariot has 12 wheels, which represents the 12 signs (each 30 degrees) of the Zodiac (360 degrees). The festival seeks the benevolence from the Sun God.


Mythology
Ratha Saptami marks the birth of Surya to sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanti. King Yashovarma, the noble king of Kamboj had no heir to rule his kingdom. He offered prayers to God and was blessed with a son. As his son was terminally ill,a saint advised that his son should perform the Ratha Saptami pooja with reverence to rid of his past sins. Once the King’s son performed this, his health was restored and he ruled his kingdom everafter.

Rathasapthami begins in households with a purification bath by holding several Ekka (or Arka) leaves on their head while bathing and chanting a verse which is supposed to invoke the blessings of the Sun God in all that one endeavors during the rest of the year. Argyam or Tharpanam (water held in the palms) is offered to the Sun God on this day while chanting hymns. The Adityahridayam, Gayathri, Suryashtakam, Surya Sahasranamam mantras are chanted on this day. 

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