2024 Ratha Sapthami Puja Date Timings Telugu Calendar
Know the details about the 2024 Ratha Sapthami Puja Date Timings Telugu Calendar, Ratha Sapthami Pooja at Home, How to do Surya Puja.
Ratha Saptami 2024: A Comprehensive Guide to the Puja Date, Timings, and Significance in the Telugu Calendar
Ratha Saptami, also known as Magha Saptami or Surya Jayanti, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor, especially in the southern parts of India. In 2024, this auspicious day falls on the 22nd of January according to the Telugu calendar. This article aims to provide a thorough understanding of the Ratha Saptami Puja date, timings, the festival’s significance, and a detailed guide on how to perform the puja at home.
2024 Ratha Sapthami Puja Date Timings Telugu Calendar
Ratha Saptami is observed on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half of the month of Magha. In 2024, it coincides with the 22nd of January. Devotees believe that performing rituals and prayers on this day will eliminate the sins of seven births. The timings for the festival are crucial, aligning with the sunrise. The puja should ideally commence during the auspicious “Surya Hasta,” which is the time when the Sun God’s energy is believed to be at its peak.
Significance of Ratha Saptami:
Ratha Saptami holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. It marks the seventh day following the winter solstice when the Sun begins its northward journey, moving towards the Tropic of Cancer. The Sun is considered the symbol of health, vitality, and prosperity in Hinduism. Ratha Saptami is believed to be the day when Lord Surya, the Sun God, enlightens the world and dispels darkness.
Devotees believe that performing puja on this day can bestow blessings, good health, and prosperity. The seven colors of the spectrum are associated with the seven horses that are believed to pull the chariot of the Sun God. It is also a day to express gratitude for the energy and life force provided by the Sun.
How to Perform Ratha Saptami Puja at Home:
Performing Ratha Saptami Puja at home is a sacred practice. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Preparation:
- Cleanse the house and the puja area.
- Set up a small chariot or Rath with an image or idol of the Sun God.
- Invocation:
- Begin by lighting the lamp and incense.
- Offer flowers and water to the Sun God.
- Ratha Saptami Mantra:
- Recite the Aditya Hridayam or Surya Ashtakam to invoke the blessings of the Sun God.
- Rath Yatra:
- Symbolically pull the Rath or chariot while chanting mantras.
- Offer fruits, coconut, and betel leaves to the Sun God.
- Arghya:
- Offer Arghya, a mixture of water, barley, and black sesame seeds, to the Sun God.
- Surya Namaskar:
- Perform Surya Namaskar, a set of yoga postures dedicated to Lord Surya.
- Prayers and Aarti:
- Offer your prayers and conclude the puja with the singing of Surya Aarti.
Procedure of Celebrating Ratha Sapthami Pooja
In the morning, it is customary to bathe by keeping acacia leaves on the head, shoulders, neck, armpits, thighs, feet, etc., and bow to the sun facing east. Pronounce the 108 names of the sun and do salutations. Arun recites the mantra of the question and makes a complete circumambulation in one room of the house. Thus 108 salutations will be made. Those who have not become 108 chant the 12 names and offer salutations. They are Indra, Dhata, Parjanya, Tvashta, Pusha, Aryama, Bhaga, Vivasvana, Vishnu, Anshumana, Varuna and Mitra. These twelve names are indicative of the twelve months.
On that day a stew of semolina or avalakki is made and offered to Surya. On this day there is a tradition of throwing ‘Curry’ to the children, so this day is called Curry Day.
Konark in Odisha, Dakshinarka Temple in Gaya, Ranakpur in Rajasthan, Modhera in Gujarat, Unav in Madhya Pradesh, Golpara in Assam, Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh, Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu – special pujas are performed on the day of Ratha Saptami in these Surya temples.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Is Ratha Saptami only celebrated in South India?
- While it is more widely celebrated in South India, Ratha Saptami is observed across the country with variations in rituals and traditions.
2. Can Ratha Saptami be celebrated at home?
- Yes, Ratha Saptami can be celebrated at home with devotion and sincerity. The key is to follow the prescribed rituals and offer prayers to the Sun God.
3. Are there specific dietary restrictions on Ratha Saptami?
- Devotees usually observe a fast and consume simple, Satvik (pure) food. Fruits, nuts, and milk are commonly consumed during the fast.
4. What is the significance of the Rath or chariot in Ratha Saptami?
- The Rath symbolizes the chariot of the Sun God. Pulling the Rath is considered an act of seeking blessings and showing gratitude for the Sun’s energy.
In conclusion, Ratha Saptami is a revered festival that holds immense significance in Hindu culture. Observing the rituals with devotion and performing the puja at home can bring spiritual well-being, prosperity, and enlightenment. As we celebrate the journey of the Sun towards the northern hemisphere, let us also embark on a spiritual journey toward self-realization and enlightenment. May the blessings of Lord Surya illuminate our lives with joy and prosperity. This is the brief information bout the 2024 Ratha Sapthami Puja Date Timings Telugu Calendar.
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