Rathasaptami
Once my Grandmother(ammamma) was preparing ‘payasam’ and kept the payasam on chikkudu leaves (broad beans) and offered it to Lord suryanarayana as naivedyam. The payasam was made in traditional and old way of cooking with the help of wood and coal. When I asked what she was doing. She said that day was Rathasaptami and explained me the importance of that festival. Here I am giving short description.
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South India. It is during this time that Surya/Sun moves from the southeast to the northeast. 7 represents the colors of the rainbow or the 7 chakras. This festival falls on the 7th day of the Hindu month Magha, February in the Gregorian calendar. The days become warmer and bring relief and cheer to life after the bitter winter months.
On Rathasaptami day, rangoli/patern of surya/sun riding a chariot is drawn. A special bath is taken with arka leaves (jilledu akulu). In some communities they keep ‘regi pandu’ on the head, 2 on the shoulders, 2 on knees and 2 on foot while having bath
The following mantra on Sun god is chanted while taking the bath.“Saptha Saptha Maha SapthaSaptha Dweepa VasundaraSapth Arka Parna MadayaSapthamyam Snana Machareth”
Prayers and mantras to be chanted on this holy day are
· Surya sahsranamam
· Aditya hrudayam
· Gayatri mantram
· surya ashtothram or ashtakas.
Once my Grandmother(ammamma) was preparing ‘payasam’ and kept the payasam on chikkudu leaves (broad beans) and offered it to Lord suryanarayana as naivedyam. The payasam was made in traditional and old way of cooking with the help of wood and coal. When I asked what she was doing. She said that day was Rathasaptami and explained me the importance of that festival. Here I am giving short description.
“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South India. It is during this time that Surya/Sun moves from the southeast to the northeast. 7 represents the colors of the rainbow or the 7 chakras. This festival falls on the 7th day of the Hindu month Magha, February in the Gregorian calendar. The days become warmer and bring relief and cheer to life after the bitter winter months.
On Rathasaptami day, rangoli/patern of surya/sun riding a chariot is drawn. A special bath is taken with arka leaves (jilledu akulu). In some communities they keep ‘regi pandu’ on the head, 2 on the shoulders, 2 on knees and 2 on foot while having bath
The following mantra on Sun god is chanted while taking the bath.“Saptha Saptha Maha SapthaSaptha Dweepa VasundaraSapth Arka Parna MadayaSapthamyam Snana Machareth”
Prayers and mantras to be chanted on this holy day are
· Surya sahsranamam
· Aditya hrudayam
· Gayatri mantram
· surya ashtothram or ashtakas.
Then an offering of “Payasam” made of rice with jaggery is shown to the sun. In the “sup” (basket for sifting corn) twelve heaps of grain are offered to the sun, the number corresponding to the twelve constellations through which the sun goes. Grain is offered to the brahmins.Some people show their respect to the sun by bowing twelve times every day to the sun, repeating every time one of the twelve names of the sun. These twelve names are: Mitra, Ravi, Surya, Ahanu, Khag, Pushan, Hirnyagarbha, Marichi, Aditya, Savita, Arka, and Bhaskar. On this day a new season begins, the sun sitting on his chariot sets out on his journey.
Iit is very sacred to follow this tradition. now a days people donot tend to get much time due to work pressure and other domestic duties. Atleast they can meditate on this for few minutes for Lord Suryanarayana. I know its difficult to get a glance of surya is hard sometimes in temperate zones. But still the bhakti imbibe in us should show the utmost respect and shraddha towards the Lord surya.
By following this simple ritual people believe that the Lord will bless them with success for all their endeavors in the coming year.
Note: Most of the information gathered from Rathasaptahmi vratham and normal rituals done at home
Iit is very sacred to follow this tradition. now a days people donot tend to get much time due to work pressure and other domestic duties. Atleast they can meditate on this for few minutes for Lord Suryanarayana. I know its difficult to get a glance of surya is hard sometimes in temperate zones. But still the bhakti imbibe in us should show the utmost respect and shraddha towards the Lord surya.
By following this simple ritual people believe that the Lord will bless them with success for all their endeavors in the coming year.
Note: Most of the information gathered from Rathasaptahmi vratham and normal rituals done at home
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