Ratha Sapthami...

Ratha Sapthami is a Hindu festival that falls on the Seventh day of the bright half of the hindu month Magha. It falls on Febraury 6th 2014, this year. This day is the 7th day in the bright fortnight after the new moon day, in the month of Magha, corresponding to January. Rathasapthami is specially auspicious, if it falls on a Sunday.

Lord Vishnu in his form as Surya is usually worshiped on this day. Usually, Rathasapthami begins in households with a purification bath by holding a few yekka/arka/calotropis procera leaves along with Mantrakshathas (Rice mixed with Turmeric) on one's head while bathing and chanting a verse which is supposed to invoke the benevolence of the Lord in all that one takes up the rest of the year. It also involves doing a puja with the ritual 'Naivedyam', flowers and fruits, Payasam.

There is a popular saying in Indian Vedic culture that jnAtvA karmANi kurvIta' - meaning Any deed/kriya is more fruitful when it is better understood. So it is very important to know what we are doing and what's our goal in doing so. This is a special writeup on the significance of Ratha Saptami and how it is celebrated in Tirumala Hill Shrine.

This day is also known as Surya Jayanthi because it celebrates the power of the Sun God who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Since ages the Hindus have worshiped Surya/Sun god. Surya is considered to be Lord Vishnu and hence referred to as Suryanarayana or Pratyaksha Daivam. The Sun is worshipped on this day. The sun is imagined to be a chariot drawn by seven horses, which represent the seven colours of the rainbow. The charioteer, Arun, has his feet deformed. Arun means the dawn. . A picture of the chariot and the seven horses is drawn on the ground. On the four sides 'rangoli' is made (designs made with powders) and in the centre cow dung is burnt. Then on the stove milk is boiled in earthern vessels while facing the sun. When the milk boils it is believed it reaches the sun.