Ratha Saptamī · Sūrya · the seventh bright tithi
What is Ratha Saptamī?
Ratha Saptamī is an annual festival associated with Sūrya, the Sun, on Māgha Śukla Saptamī. It is also called Sūrya Jayantī in some traditions. Names, stories, and forms of participation vary by region and community.
The calendar words
Saptamī is the seventh tithi.
Sacred focus and participation
The festival honors Sūrya.
People may greet the rising Sun, bathe, offer water, visit a temple, recite prayers, draw a chariot design, fast, or share food according to their tradition. These are examples of participation, while regional practice remains diverse.
Official references: Maharashtra Tourism · Srikakulam District
How Open Pañcāṅga identifies the date
These are the rules we use to identify Ratha Saptamī.
Śukla Saptamī must prevail at sūryodaya, local sunrise, and the named amānta lunar-month calculation must give the regular month Māgha. When both rules match, the report identifies Ratha Saptamī and explains the match.
These are the date-selection rules used here. A regional or traditional pañcāṅga may use additional timing rules or a different lunar-month system and may therefore choose a nearby civil date.