Rathasapthami also marks the gradual increase in temperature across South India and awaits the arrival of spring, which is later heralded by the festival of Ugadi or the Hindu lunar New Year day in the month of Chaitra.
- Surya
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. Argyam or (Tharpanam) (water held in the palms) is offered to the Sun God on this day while chanting hymns are performed to the Sun God. It also involves doing a Pooja with the ritual Naivedhya (food offering to God), and offering of flowers and fruits. Important prayers offered to the Sun god on this occasion are the Adityahridayam, Gayathri, Suryashtakam, Surya Sahasram namam. The preferred time for the pooja is within one hour after sunrise. In places like Mysore and Melkote, ceremonial processions carry the Surya Mandala – the icon of Surya. The food grain associated with Surya/Sun god is the wholesome Wheat, so on this day Godi/Wheat Payasa or Avalakki/Beaten Rice Payasa/Pudding is prepared and the Payasa is allowed to overflow the pan in which it is being cooked. Perform Pooja and offer fruits and payasa to the god.
Jyothishi 
Hi Jyothishi,
Very useful info. Thanks for sharing. Please let me know if marriages (specifically muhurtham) can be performed on this day.
Regards,
Vijay
This is not a day like Akshaya Trithiya, Vijaydashami etc where we can go ahead with marriages without Mahurtha. Yes if all other parameters agree we can conduct marriages.
Jyothishi
Can we chant Chakshushopanishath also?
Rohini
For those people with eye problems, I would recommend reading /chanting of Chakshushopanishad daily. This is a powerful antidote to all eye problems including blindness.
Jyothishi
Nice information on this auspicious eve. Thanks.
I believe Surya’s charioteer is ‘Anuura’, which is printed here as ‘Aruna’..
You are wrong. Please read the following:
Aruna – The Charioteer of Surya
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अरुण
Aruna was the son of the great sage Kashyapa and Vinata, a daughter of Daksha. His mother had obtained a boon from her husband that she would have two offspring who surpassed the thousand sons (the serpents) of her sister (and co-wife) Kadru in glory. She gave birth to two eggs, which did not hatch for a long time. In her impatience, she broke open one of them and found Aruna inside it, but he had an undeveloped lower body. He cursed his mother to bondage for her impatience. He then took to the skies and achieved great glory by becoming the charioteer of Surya, the sun.
How he became the charioteer of Surya?
When Surya was swallowed and then regurgitated by Rahu, in revenge for the incident of the nectar, he grew exceedingly angry with the other immortals, for they had suffered him to undergo this indignity. He thought, ‘Since no one came to my aid, what is the use of their existence? Let me destroy all creation with my great heat.’ Then he started multiplying his radiance, and the generated heat threatened to burn the world. The Devas beseeched Lord Brahma to save the world.
Lord Brahma said, “I shall place Aruna, the son of Kashyapa and Vinata in front of Surya. He is of large body and has divine radiance. He will become the charioteer of Surya and shield the world from his anger.”
From that day, Aruna precedes Surya in the heavens and is worshiped along with the sun.
Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu is his brother. He emerged from the other egg, which Vinata had left undisturbed for a thousand years.
Jyothishi
Can marriage be done on Ratha Saothami
Maagha masam the eleventh month as per Hindu lunar calendar is considered as an auspicious month for performing marriages, upanayanam, Gruha Pravesam, Aksharabhyasam etc.However some people avoid Sapthami if other dates are available. Rathasapthami is celebrated as Surya Jayanthi and Shukla Saptami is ruled by Surya, the Sun God. Auspicious for ceremonies such weddings.
ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು ಸರ್ … ರಥಸಪ್ತಮಿಯ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ, ಆಚರಣೆ, ಹಾಗು ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನ ತಳಿಸಿಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ … ಉತ್ತಮ ಮಾಹಿತಿ 💐💐💐
ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು
ಜ್ಯೋತಿಷಿ