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Festival Profile

Ratha Saptami

Worship of the Sun God, marking the Sun's turning northward, with sapatmi rituals.

All festivals

Ratha Saptami celebrates the Sun God's northward journey (Uttarayana) and his birth, marked by the worship of the Sun and the Ratha Saptami ritual.

Stories behind the festival

The Sun's chariot

Surya, the Sun God, rides a chariot drawn by seven horses representing the seven colours of light. Ratha Saptami celebrates his birth and the beginning of Uttarayana, the auspicious northern course.
Solar tradition

Why we celebrate

Ratha Saptami celebrates the Sun God's northward journey (Uttarayana) and his birth, marked by the worship of the Sun and the Ratha Saptami ritual.
Solar tradition

When

Ratha Saptami falls on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright fortnight of Magha (January-February).

Since when it is followed

Ratha Saptami has been observed for centuries as the Sun's birthday, tied to the solar cycle.
Solar tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Hindus, especially in South India, as the Sun's birthday.

Origin

The origin is the Sun God's birth and the start of Uttarayana, the northward course of the Sun.
Solar tradition; Surya worship

Key deities

The Sun God (Surya), with his chariot and seven horses.

How to celebrate

Take a ritual bath, offer water to the Sun (arghya), and perform the Surya puja; in some regions draw the Sun's chariot with seven horses.

Rituals & offerings

Arghya to the Sun, Surya puja, and the drawing or worship of the Sun's chariot.

Key facts

Ratha Saptami is also called Magha Saptami.
Solar tradition