Ratha Saptami 2027रथ सप्तमी

When is Ratha Saptami?

Observed on Shukla Saptami, Magha month. Dates follow the Panchang for New Delhi and can differ by a day in other places — check the Panchang for your city.

What Ratha Saptami means

Ratha Saptami, the seventh day of the bright half of Magha, is celebrated as Surya Jayanti — the birthday of the Sun god — and as the day Surya turns his chariot (ratha) of seven horses towards the north, marking the warming of the year after winter. It comes about three weeks after Makar Sankranti.

Devotees rise before dawn and bathe with seven leaves of the arka plant (Calotropis, Surya's favourite) placed on the head, reciting a verse that asks the Sun to remove the faults of seven births. They offer arghya to the rising Sun and do Surya Namaskar.

At Tirumala, Lord Venkateswara is taken out on seven vahanams in a single day, beginning with the Surya Prabha vahanam at dawn — a festival called the "Ardha Brahmotsavam" or half-Brahmotsavam.

The story of Ratha Saptami

The Puranas tell that Surya was born to the sage Kashyapa and Aditi — hence his name Aditya — on Magha Shukla Saptami. He rides a golden chariot drawn by seven horses, said to stand for the seven colours of light or the seven Vedic metres, with Aruna, the dawn, as his charioteer.

Another story tells of King Yashovarma of Kamboja, whose son was born ill; on the advice of sages the king kept the Ratha Saptami vrat, and his son was healed — which is why the day is linked with health.

Ratha Saptami puja vidhi, step by step

How Ratha Saptami is kept.

What you need

• Seven arka (calotropis) leaves, or ber leaves if arka is not available
• A copper vessel of water with red flowers, rice and red sandal for arghya
• A ghee diya and incense
• Milk, rice and jaggery for the sun-cooked offering

When to do the puja

In 2027 Ratha Saptami falls on Saturday, 13 February. The bath and arghya are done at sunrise; check the Panchang for your city. See the Panchang for your city.

Steps

1. Arka bath. Before sunrise, place seven arka leaves on the head (or on the shoulders and head) and bathe, reciting the Ratha Saptami verse.
2. Arghya. Facing the rising Sun, pour water from a copper vessel with red flowers and rice.
3. Surya Namaskar. Do 12 rounds (or more) of Surya Namaskar, chanting the twelve names.
4. Offering. Cook milk-rice in the sunlight and offer it to Surya.
5. Charity. Give wheat, jaggery, red cloth or copper to the needy.

Offerings & food: Milk-rice cooked in the sun, red flowers, jaggery, wheat, red sandal; charity of red cloth and copper

Mantras for Ratha Saptami

Ratha Saptami across India

Tirumala (Surya Prabha and seven vahanams in one day), Arasavalli Surya temple (Andhra), Konark, Maharashtra and Karnataka

Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh)

Lord Venkateswara is carried on seven vahanams in one day, from the Surya Prabha at dawn to the Chandra Prabha at night.

Arasavalli (Andhra Pradesh)

The ancient Surya temple holds its main festival, with the first rays falling on the deity.

Maharashtra and Karnataka

Chariot rangolis, the arka-leaf bath and Surya Namaskar; milk is boiled over in the sun as an offering.

Odisha

Pilgrims visit the Sun temple at Konark and bathe at Chandrabhaga beach.

Prayers to recite

Do’s and don’ts

Temples to visit for Ratha Saptami

Tirumala Venkateswara TempleTirupati, Andhra PradeshKonark Sun TempleKonark, Odisha

Frequently asked questions