Ratha Saptami 2024 Puja Vidhi: When is Ratha Saptami? Know Surya Puja auspicious time and importance

Ratha Saptami 2024, when is Ratha Saptami 2024, puja method, rules, puja time and importance, Surya Puja time, story, story, Ratha Saptami 2024 Puja Vidhi in Hindi, muhurat, date, time, importance, katha in Hindi

This year, as per the Hindu calendar, the holy festival of Ratha Saptami is being celebrated on Friday, February 16. This day is dedicated to the worship and worship of Sun God. On this auspicious occasion, by worshiping the Sun God, he showers everlasting happiness, prosperity and health on his devotees.

Rath Saptami 2024 Worship of Sun God

According to the Hindu calendar, today, Friday, 16 February, is the holy festival of Rath Saptami. This date, celebrated on the Saptami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Magh month, is famous as Rath Saptami, Achala Saptami or Arogya Saptami. On this special day, the Sun God is worshipped. Pleased with the devotional worship performed by the devotees, Suryadev bestows them with prosperity, glory and health. 

Rath Saptami, the great festival of worship of Sun God

According to the evidence of Bhavishya Purana, Saptami Tithi is the auspicious day when the Sun God filled the world with his light for the first time. On this unique day, the Sun God was also blessed with his wife Sangya and their children. For this reason, the date of Saptami is very dear to Sun God. It is believed that by worshiping Sun God on this day, devotees get infinite and imperishable fruits.

Sun God is very pleased with the worship done with full faith and devotion and showers immense blessings of happiness, prosperity and good health on his devotees. While praising the Sun God, turning towards him cures skin related disorders and improves eyesight. Among the devotees who observe this fast, the bond of love between father and son becomes stronger, which maintains family harmony.

Auspicious time of Rath Saptami 2024

According to the Hindu calendar, this year the auspicious time of Rath Saptami will start at 10:15 am on 15 February 2024 and end at 08:58 am on Friday, 16 February 2024. During this time, the tradition of Ratha Saptami fast and holy bath will be followed. During this period, devotees can worship the Sun God and take advantage of this holy day.

Worship method and rules on Rath Saptami

On the auspicious occasion of Ratha Saptami, as per religious belief, one should help the needy, handicapped, and people of Brahmin community. According to their capacity, they should be provided with the things they need. Devotees who worship Sun God should consume food without salt or only fruits once on this day. Devotees observing fast should avoid wearing blue colored clothes, because doing so is believed to reduce the effect of the puja.

Surya Saptami fast worship method and mantra

Surya Saptami fast is organized by devotees to worship the Sun God. On this day, Sun God is worshiped by special worship methods and chanting mantras. The worship method and mantras of Surya Saptami Vrat are described in the following steps:

Method of worship

1. Morning bath: Wake up before sunrise and take bath in the holy river or in your home. Mixing Ganga water in bathing water is considered auspicious.

2. Meditation on Sun God: After bath, meditate on Sun God by facing east.

3. Water Arghya: Mix water, red flowers, rice and a little turmeric in a copper pot and offer it to the Sun God.

4. Puja: Light a lamp in front of the idol or picture of the Sun God and offer red flowers, roli, rice.

5. Recitation of Vrat Katha: Recite Surya Saptami Vrat Katha and listen to it.

6. Prasad Distribution: After the pooja, distribute fruits, sweets etc. in the form of prasad.

Mantra: - Mantra for Sun God:

Gayatri Mantra:

“Om Bhurbhuvah Svah Tatsavitur Varenya Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nas Prachodyat.”

“Om Hram Hrim Hraum Sah Namah to the Sun.”

Surya Arghya Mantra: 

“Om Suryaya Namah.”

On the day of Surya Saptami fast, by chanting the above mentioned worship method and mantras, one gets the blessings of Sun God, which leads to happiness, prosperity and health in life.

Amazing story of Rath Saptami fast

According to a mythological tale described in the Bhavishya Purana, a prostitute never practiced charity during her lifetime. Later in her life, when she repented her actions, she sought refuge with Maharishi Vashishtha and expressed her concerns to him. Maharishi Vashishtha explained to him the importance of fasting on Ratha Saptami and said that offering water and donating a lamp to Lord Sun on this holy day brings immense virtue. Vaishya observed the fast of Ratha Saptami as per Maharishi's instructions and due to his influence, she got the divine opportunity to lead the Apsaras in Devlok after her death.

FAQ

Question 1: What is Rath Saptami?

Answer: According to the Hindu calendar, Rath Saptami is a sacred festival of worship of Sun God celebrated in the month of Magh.

Question 2: What is the significance of Rath Saptami?

Answer: By worshiping Sun God on the day of Rath Saptami, devotees get blessings of health, prosperity and knowledge.

Question 3: What is offered to the Sun God on Rath Saptami?

Answer: On Rath Saptami, water is offered to the Sun God and red flowers, Akshat and jaggery are offered.

Question 4: What kind of food is eaten on Rath Saptami?

Answer: On the day of Rath Saptami, fasting people eat salt-free food or fruits at one time.

Question 5: How is the fast of Rath Saptami observed?

Answer: During the fast of Rath Saptami, the Sun God is worshiped by observing fast and consuming satvik food for a part of the day.