Significance & Importance of Ratha Sapthami(Surya Jayanthi)
Ratha Saptami is a festival of Sun God celebrated every year on the Seventh Day in Shukla Paksha of Maagha Masam(January/Febuary). This year 2013, Ratha Saptami is celebrated on February 17, 2013(Sunday). Ratha Saptami marks the birthday of Lord Surya Narayana(Sun) who was born to sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi on this day. Ratha Saptami Festival is also known as Surya(Soorya) Jayanthi or Magha Sapatami or Rathasapthami. It is believed that Sun God is eye-witnessed God and Arogya pradatha. One day Brahmotsavam is celebrated on this auspicious day at Srivari Temple, Tirumala.
Significance of Ratha Saptami
The Sun god travels in the north and south directions in a year. These are called Uttarayanam (the first half of the year) and Dakshinayanam (the second half of the year). Ratha Saptami festival marks the beginning of Uttarayanam(Uttara means
North and Ayanam means Movement). On this day the Sun moves from Dhanur Raasi(Sagittarius) to Makara Raasi(Capricorn) represents Sun's movement towards Northern Hemisphere in a north-east direction.
It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses, with Aruna as the charioteer, towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction.
The symbolic significance of the ratha and the seven horses reigned to it is that it represents the Seven Colours of the Rainbow. The Seven Horses are also said to represent the Seven Days of a Week starting with Sunday, the day of Sun god Surya. The chariot has 12 wheels, which represents the 12 Signs (each of 30 degrees) of the Zodiac (360 degrees) and constituting a full year, named Samvatsara.
The Sun’s own house is Leo Zodiac (Simha Raasi) and he moves from one house to the next every month and the total cycle takes 365 days
to complete.
Importance of Ratha Saptami
During Ratha Saptami festival, Punya Snan(Holy Bath) are performed. Women draw Rangoli in front of their houses to welcome the Divine, Healthy and Pleasant rays of Sun God. Arogya Saptami Vtram is also observed to get relief from health problems and disorders on this day.
On this auspicious day devotees worship Aditya or Sun God by Parayanam (Chanting) of Aruna Prasnam (Surya Namaskara Mantrams), Aditya Hrudayam. Aruna Prashnam has 132 Panchatems ( Mantrams ) within 32 Anuvagam (Sections) and each Anuvagam is dedicated to one aspect of Lord Sun God.
It was mentioned in the Yuddha Kanda of the epic Ramayana that the Sun God is embodied with the power to award good health. Lord Rama was preached by Sage Agastya to chant Aditya Hridayam, a verse to please Lord Surya to grant him good health, when Rama become extremely tired of due to participation in the war against Ravana to
rescue his wife Sita . Lord Rama chanted the mantra thrice and rejuvenated and lastly beat Ravana.
According to some historic tales, the king Yashovarma, king of Khambhoj blessed with a son after long struggle, but his son was not a healthy one. One day Sage Vinit came to the king’s palace and aware of the situation of King Yashovarma’s son. Sage Vinit proposed King to celebrate Ratha Saptami. The king performed the rituals of Ratha Sapatami in a holistic way. In a little while his son became devoid of all ailments and became well.
Important Sun God Temples in India
The Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa
The Dakshinaarka Temple, Gaya, Bihar State
The Bhramanya Dev, Unao, Madhya Pradesh.
Sun Temple, Surya Pahar, Assam.
Suryanaar Temple, Kumbhakonam, Tamilnadu
Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Arasavalli, Andhrapradesh.
Sun Temple, Modhara, Gujarat.
Jabali Muni.
SarvE bhavanthu sukhinah sarvE santhu niraamayaah
Sarve bhadrANi pasyanthu maa kaschit duhkhabhAg bhavEt.
