Ratha Saptami 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Devotees of Surya Dev: Men and women observe this vrat to seek the blessings of the Sun God for good health, vitality, and a long life (Arogya).
• Families Seeking Prosperity: Many households observe it for wealth, success, and the removal of past sins, as the Sun is believed to be the giver of life and light.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Sunrise Bath: The holy bath is taken before sunrise or at sunrise, with Arka (Calotropis) leaves placed on the head and shoulders. Check the sunrise time for your city on this page.
• Surya Puja and Arghya: The Surya puja and Arghya are offered at sunrise, facing the rising Sun.
• Cooking the Payasam: The sweet payasam is cooked in the open courtyard in the morning, in the light of the Sun.
• Breaking the Fast: After the puja is complete, if the fast is observed.

About the Festival

Ratha Saptami celebrates the day Lord Surya, the Sun God, is believed to have turned his chariot of seven horses towards the north, bringing the warmth of the new season. It is observed across India, widely in the South as Surya Jayanti or Magha Saptami, and in Odisha as Chandrabhaga Mela. It takes place on the Saptami (seventh day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Magha.

The Katha (Story of Samba and Surya Dev)

Long ago, Samba, the handsome son of Lord Krishna and Jambavati, was proud of his beauty. Once, he laughed at the sage Narada, and the sage, angered by this insult, planned to teach him a lesson. Lord Krishna, on hearing of the matter, cursed his son in anger, and Samba became afflicted with leprosy (Kushtha).

Troubled by his suffering, Samba asked his father how he could be cured. Krishna advised him: "My son, go to Mitravana on the banks of the Chandrabhaga river, and worship Surya Dev, who removes all diseases, with full devotion. He will heal you."

Samba went to the banks of the Chandrabhaga, in present-day Konark in Odisha, and performed severe penance for twelve years, praying to the Sun God at sunrise each day. Pleased by his devotion, Surya Dev appeared and cured him of the disease. In gratitude, Samba built a temple for the Sun God there. Since that day, devotees have bathed at sunrise and worshipped Surya Dev on Ratha Saptami, praying for health, strength, and freedom from illness.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: A picture or idol of Surya Dev on his chariot of seven horses
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan (sandalwood paste), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop or incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A copper vessel (Lota) filled with clean water for Arghya, with red flowers
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Payasam or kheer made of milk, rice, and jaggery, cooked in the sun, and fruits
• Devotional Accessories: Seven Arka leaves (Erukku or Jilledu leaves), red flowers, and Kalava (sacred thread)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up before sunrise during Brahma Muhurta, and prepare for the holy bath.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Surya Dev, today I observe Ratha Saptami and worship you with pure devotion. Bless me with health, strength, and freedom from illness and sin."
3. Observe the fast through the day or take only fruits (Phalahar), according to your family's tradition.

Step 2: Holy Bath at Sunrise

1. Place seven Arka leaves (or Jilledu leaves) on your head, shoulders, and knees (some families use one leaf with a little rice and a pinch of turmeric).
2. Bathe at sunrise, preferably in a river or the sea, and at home pour water over your head while chanting the name of Surya Dev.
3. Wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably red or orange).

Step 3: Preparing the Puja Altar and Offerings

1. Drawing the Chariot: Draw a rangoli of the Sun's chariot with seven horses in the courtyard, using rice flour or coloured powders.
2. Cooking Payasam: Cook the sweet payasam with milk, rice, and jaggery in an earthen pot in the open courtyard, in the light of the Sun.
3. Placing the Altar: Place the picture of Surya Dev on a clean cloth, and keep the Diya, flowers, and Naivedya ready.

Step 4: Performing the Surya Puja (Sunrise)

1. Light the Ghee Diya and incense in front of the deity.
2. Apply Roli, Chandan, and Akshat, and offer red flowers.
3. Offer Arghya by pouring water slowly from the Lota towards the rising Sun, chanting "Om Suryaya Namah".
4. Offer the payasam as Naivedya.

Step 5: Reciting the Prayers

1. Recite or listen to the Aditya Hridayam or the story of Samba and Surya Dev with deep focus.
2. Chant "Om Suryaya Namah" or the Surya Mantra a number of times.
3. Perform Surya Namaskar facing the Sun, and conclude with the Surya Aarti.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Give donations (Daan) of food, clothes, or jaggery to the needy or a Brahmin.
3. Distribute the payasam as prasad and break your fast with a simple sattvic meal.