Ratha Saptami, also known as Saptami Tithi or Magha Saptami, or Achala Saptami, falls in the month of Magha and is devoted to Lord Surya. On this day, Lord Vishnu is worshiped in the form of Surya Dev, also known as Suryanarayan. Ratha means the Chariot, and Saptami means the 7th day, and Ratha Saptami is named so as it falls on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha.

On Ratha Saptami 2024, worshiping Lord Surya bestows us with numerous benefits, such as it gives us wisdom, wealth, name, fame, power, energy, good health, heals diseases, protection from negative energies, and much more. The Rathasapthami puja is performed with complete devotion by devotees across the country.

Ratha Saptami 2024 Date

This year, the Ratha Saptami 2024 date is as mentioned below:

Significance of Ratha Saptami

The significance of Ratha Saptami is that it is related to the birth anniversary of Lord Surya. Another Ratha Saptami significance is that the Ratha of Lord Surya travels in the North East direction by turning into the North Hemisphere. This also indicates the change of Season. Even in the Puranas, Surya Dev is shown riding a chariot drawn by seven competent horses, with Aruna as the Charioteer. This festival is also auspicious as it commemorates the beginning of the harvest season, and the farmers worship the Sun to reap crops in plenty. 

Lord Surya gloriously sits on the Chariot of seven horses, which has a deep meaning. The seven horses denote the seven colors of the rainbow, seven days of the week, and the seven rays of the sun - connected to the main chakras of the body. The seven horses of the Chariot symbolize the mind, which has to be controlled by ourselves.

Visit: Shubh Choghadiya Muhurat for Ratha Saptami Puja

Ratha Saptami 2024: History

Surya Dev was born to Rishi Kashyap and his wife, Aditi, on the day of Rathasapthami. Rishi Kashyap, on his son's birth, offered gratitude to Lord Vishnu when the latter told him the newborn was the incarnation of Surya Dev. Lord Vishnu further informed that Rishi Kashyap's son belonged to everyone, and his light shall shine on all living as well as non-living objects. Moreover, the Sun would transit from one sign to another in all the 12 signs and complete an earth year. 

Ratha Saptami Story

The Ratha Saptami importance can be determined by the stories related to Rathasapthami. Here are the two stories related to why the Rathasapthami pooja is performed.

Ratha Saptami Story 1

A King named Yashovarma of the Kamboj Empire did not have a son to inherit his throne. After performing a lot of yagnas and worshiping, the King was blessed with a son. However, the child was born with a terminal illness, and the King & Queen, disheartened, did not know what to do. A sage, during that course of time, visited the King's palace. After learning about the King's son, the sage asked the King to ask his son to perform the Rathasapthami puja and request Surya dev to heal his disease. On the following Rathasapthami, the son chanted the Ratha Saptami Mantra and performed the Rathasapthami puja as asked by the sage. Miraculously, he was healed and grew up to be a great ruler and a good King. 

Ratha Saptami Story 2

Durvasa Muni, the sage known for his anger and curse, once visited Lord Krishna. Durvasa Muni was performing strict penance then. Lord Krishna's son, Shambh, was very strong and had a fit body. Shambh mocked at the weak body of the Muni, angered at which he cursed him to develop leprosy. Lord Krishna, looking at his son's not-getting-better condition, asked him to worship Surya Dev. Shambh started chanting Ratha Saptami Mantra, performed the puja with immense devotion, and observed fast. Pleased by his devotion, Surya Dev healed him of leprosy and made him fit again. 

Also See: Rahu Kalam Timing

Rathasapthami Puja Rituals 

The rituals that you should follow on Ratha Saptami 2024 vrat are - 

• Wake up before sunrise and meditate or pray.
• Take a bath before sunrise, possibly in the river, sea, or canal. It is said that holding Arka plant leaves on the head while taking bath delights Surya Dev. Alternatively, you can also place the Ark leaves on the head and meditate on Surya Dev.
• Offer Arghya to Surya Dev in a standing posture just when it rises. 
• Then light a ghee lamp, and while chanting mantras, offer red flowers, Turmeric powder, Kumkum, Janeu (Brahmin's sacred thread), Jaggery, and other puja ingredients.
• Perform Surya Namashkar.
• Pray wholeheartedly to Surya Dev by bowing down.
• Donate to the needy.

Ratha Saptami 2024: Puja Benefits

The devotees who perform the Rathasapthami pooja with complete devotion are blessed with the following benefits:

It benefits the mental, physical and emotional health of an individual.

Favorable for couples who wish to have a son.

Heals any kind of diseases and ailments, mainly eye or skin problems. It also grants good health by boosting immunity and increasing blood circulation.

Provides the devotees with a dynamic personality by giving them confidence, power, and energy.

Dissolving the sins of this life and the past, performing this puja liberates the soul from the cycle of life and death.

Success, wisdom, name, fame, wealth, victory in challenges - performing this puja can benefit immensely.

Brings peace, helps in progressing one's spiritual journey, gives clarity, reduces tensions and anxieties, and keeps one away from negative energies. 

Endnote

Now, as you are aware of the Ratha Saptami 2024 and Ratha Saptami importance, get set with the preparations for the puja and while chanting the Ratha Saptami mantra "Om Suryaye Namaha '', observe the fast with complete devotion.