“Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” Suryanarayana temple atArka tree, Rathasapthami. 2011, This year (2011) it is on 10th February.
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,
The navagraha/nine planets temples always have the idol of Sun installed in the middle with all the other gods around it. Sun temple at Konark is a famous and ancient temple dedicated to Sun god. One of the beautifully stone-carved temples at Lakkundi built by the Chalukyas in the 10th century is dedicated to Lord Suryanarayana facing the Kashi Vishweshwara Temple. On this day the rathothsava/carriage ceremony is held with great pomp and geity at Yadathore Arkeshwara temple.
The Sun is approximately 149,600,000 kilometers from earth and sunlight takes 8.3 minutes to reach the earth. Life on earth is dependent on the Sun and Sun’s energy is tapped in innumerable way –
Plants: To prepare food
Humans: To generate power, for a doze of Vitamin D, the ultraviolet rays from the Sun has antiseptic properties, which are used to sanitize tools and water
Nature: Convert fossil into fuels and petroleum.
Since ages the Hindus have worshiped Surya/Sun god. Surya is considered to be Lord Vishnu and hence referred to as Suryanarayana. The other names for Surya are Ravi, Aditya, Bhaskar, Arka, Grahapati, Diwakar etc., A day in the week is named as Ravi vaar/Sunday.
The navagraha/nine planets temples always have the idol of Sun installed in the middle with all the other gods around it. Sun temple at Konark is a famous and ancient temple dedicated to Sun god. One of the beautifully stone-carved temples at Lakkundi built by the Chalukyas in the 10th century is dedicated to Lord Suryanarayana facing the Kashi Vishweshwara Temple. On this day the rathothsava/carriage ceremony is held with great pomp and geity at
On Rathasapthami day, rangoli/pattern of Surya/Sun riding a chariot is drawn. A special bath is taken with 7 yekka/arka/calotropis procera leaves. One leaf is kept 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 Saptha
Saptha Dweepa Vasundara
Sapth Arka Parna Madaya
Sapthamyam Snana Machareth”
By following this simple ritual people believe that the Lord will bless them with success for all their endeavors in the coming year.
This year (2011) it is on 10th February.
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