Magha Saptami — Ratha Saptami, the birthday of Surya — is the seventh day of the bright half of Magha, kept with a bath before sunrise and arghya to the rising Sun. In 2027 it falls on Saturday 13 February.
What is Magha Saptami (Ratha Saptami)?
Magha Saptami — also called Ratha Saptami, Achala Saptami and Surya Jayanti — is Magha Shukla Saptami, the seventh day of the bright half of Magha. It is kept as the birthday of Surya, the day he began to light the world, and is considered as meritorious as a solar eclipse for charity.
Saptami is the Sun's own tithi. The day is marked above all by a bath at arunodaya, before sunrise, and arghya to the rising Sun.
When is Magha Saptami in 2027, and what is the snan muhurat?
Magha Saptami 2027 is Saturday 13 February. The Saptami runs from about 2:59 AM on 13 February to about 2:07 AM on 14 February IST.
The snan is taken in arunodaya, the four ghatis (about 96 minutes) before sunrise — in New Delhi about 5:25 AM to 7:01 AM. For another city, count back 96 minutes from your local sunrise (Mumbai 7:08 AM, Kolkata 6:09 AM, Chennai 6:32 AM on that day).
Where are the Sun and Moon on the day?
The Sun is in Makara (Capricorn), close to entering Kumbha, and on 13 February 2027 the Moon is in Bharani, in Mesha. The festival is fixed by the Saptami tithi, not by any nakshatra.
How is Ratha Saptami kept?
Rise before dawn and bathe in arunodaya — traditionally with seven arka (calotropis) leaves placed on the head, and in a river where possible. Offer arghya to the rising Sun, recite the Aditya Hridayam or the Surya mantra (‘Om Suryaya Namah’, ‘Om Ghrinih Suryaya Namah’), and give charity.
In many homes and temples a rangoli of the Sun's chariot with seven horses is drawn, and some keep a fast for the day. Temples such as Tirumala hold a special Ratha Saptami procession.
Is Ratha Saptami linked to the Sun in a birth chart?
It is the Sun's festival, so people with a weak or troubled Sun in their chart often choose it for Surya worship. That is devotion, not a promise of a result; how the Sun works in a particular chart, and when, is read from the chart and the dasha.
Any cautions for the snan and fast?
A pre-dawn river bath in February is cold; the elderly, children and anyone unwell can bathe at home in warm water with the arka leaves, which keeps the rite. Those who are pregnant, diabetic or on medication should not keep a strict fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Magha Saptami (Ratha Saptami) in 2027?
Saturday 13 February 2027. The Saptami runs from about 2:59 AM on 13 February to 2:07 AM on 14 February IST.
What is the Ratha Saptami snan time in 2027?
In arunodaya, the 96 minutes before sunrise: in New Delhi about 5:25 AM to 7:01 AM on 13 February. Count back 96 minutes from your own city's sunrise.
Why are arka leaves used in the bath?
Tradition prescribes seven arka (calotropis) leaves on the head during the Ratha Saptami bath; the leaf is associated with Surya.
What if I cannot bathe in a river?
Bathe at home in arunodaya with the arka leaves and offer arghya to the rising Sun; that completes the rite.
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