Ratha sapthami | Ratha saptami | Sun God

Ratha saptami 

Ratha Sapthami is celebrated around Jan-Feb calendar months which fall in Indian month Magha (Tamil month Thai). 

Saptami is the 7th day of any paksham. There are two pakshams in a month - Sukhla paksham and krishna paksham. The 15 days of waning of moon is termed krishna paksham and the 15 days of waxing of moon is termed sukhla paksham. 

Generally, saptami days are special for Sun God, Surya Dev. Ratha Saptami is celebrated on saptami day of sukhla paksham during the month of Magha. It is said that energy from sun is very high on this day and this is the best day for us to receive maximum energy from sun for good physical and mental health. 

Snanam (bath) is the primary ritual on Ratha saptami day. Snan is recommended before sunrise to get maximum benefit. Hindu families have a tradition to have the bath keeping eruku leaves (Sanskrit:Bhanu Telugu:jilledu Kannada:Ekkagida Tamil:Eruku) on the head. Women keep 7 leaves stacked one on top of the other and ganesha made of turmeric (Refer pic 1) on top of it; keep this set up on the head and take bath. Men replace the turmeric with cow dung or akshathai (uncooked rice mixed with wet turmeric - refer pic 2)

Pic 1 : Turmeric Ganesha

Pic 2: Akshthai / Akshanthalu

The eruku leaves are considered to absorb energy from sun. It is said that, taking head bath before sunrise, placing these leaves on head on rathasaptami day, transmits the absorbed energy by the leaves, to the one who takes bath.

Some people observe upavasam after the bath maximise the energy. Fasting is personal choice, whereas bath with eruku leaves is the ritual almost everyone follows.