Ratha Saptami is a Hindu festival that falls on the Seventh day in the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month Maagha (January - February) . It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun god Surya , turning his chariot drawn by seven horses in a North -eastern direction. It also marks the birth of Lord Surya and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanthi . It also symbolicaly denotes the changes of season , spring to the start of harvesting season. The festival is observed by all Hindus and in all temples dedicated to Lord Surya. The symbolic significance of the ratha and the seven horses reigned to it is that it represents the seven colours of the rainbow. The seven horses are also said to represent the seven days of a week starting with Sunday.
Legends :
Yashovarma , a noble king who had no heir to rule his kingdom. On his special prayers to God, he was blessed with a son. The King's vows did not end with this, as his son was terminally ill. A saint who visited the King advised that his son should perform the Ratha saptami Pooja with reverence to rid of his past sins. Once the king's son performed this, his health was restored and he ruled his kingdom well. In Mahabharatha, Bhishmacharya chose this day to attain Moksha.
Observances :
God Vishnu in the form of Lord Surya is usually worshipped on this day. In Households , they begin with a purification bath by holding seven Ekka leaves (in Kanada) , Arka leaves in Sanskrit, Jilledu leaves in Telugu, Erukku leaves in Tamil , along with Raw rice and woman add little turmeric powder along with raw rice and take head bath , While taking head bath , no oil should be applied .
There is a popular belief that offering Tarpanam to ancestors is highly beneficial , and some people perform tarpanam in the name of Bhishmacharya as he had no children.
Bhishmacharya never got married, by his own decision, as a vow to help his father. He is a "Akhanda Brahmachari", and that is why he did not have children.
Prayers are done for the Sun god and the pooja is said to be performed within one hour after sunrise.
In Vaishanavite temples , such as Tirumala and Srirangam , Ratha saptami is one of the important festivals of the year. One Day Brahmotsavam is held in Tirumala. On this day, Rangoli is drawn with coloured rice powder depicting a chariot and seven horses as symbolic of Ratha Saptami.
Other than Ratha Saptami , the most widely celebrated festival for Sun god is Makara Sankranthi / Pongal.
