Ratha Saptami 2026: Date, time, Snan muhurat, significance, what to avoid and powerful mantras to chant on the birthday of Lord Surya

Ratha Saptami, also known as the 'Surya Jayanti', or the birthday of the Sun God, marks the moment Lord Surya began enlightening the universe. Ratha Saptami is being celebrated on January 25, 2026 commemorating the birth anniversary of Lord Surya. On this auspicious day, devotees honour the Sun God with early morning baths, fasting, and offering 'Arghya'.Ratha Saptami is observed on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Magha month and holds immense spiritual significance and is celebrated across the country. This year, Raha Saptami is going to be celebrated on Saptami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Magha i.e., on January 25, 2026.

Ratha Saptami 2026: Date and Time

Saptami Tithi Begins - 12:39 AM on Jan 25, 2026

Saptami Tithi Ends - 11:10 PM on Jan 25, 2026


Snan Muhurat on Ratha Saptami - 05:26 AM to 07:13 AM

Civil Dawn on Ratha Saptami - 06:48 AM

Sunrise time on Ratha Saptami - 07:13 AM

Mantras to chant: Om Suryaye Namah..!! and Om Ghrani Suryaye Namah..!!

It is believed that worshipping Lord Surya on this day is as powerful as performing charitable acts during a solar eclipse (Surya Grahan).The central ritual of Ratha Saptami involves a holy bath taken during Arunodaya - the period of approximately 96 minutes (four Ghatis) before sunrise.

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Ratha Saptami 2026: Rituals you should follow

On the occasion of Ratha Saptami, you should wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, and Shipra. If taking a holy dip in a river is not possible, take a bath at home by adding Gangajal to regular water. Taking bath in holy water is will purify your body, mind and soul and devotees can connect to the divine energy.

-The day is considered extremely auspicious for fasting and for appeasing Lord Surya. Devotees observe fasts to connect with divine energy, and you must refrain from consuming tamasik food on this day.

-Next comes the Arghya. Offering Arghya to Lord Surya on Ratha Saptami is one of the most important rituals. After bathing, offer Arghya by mixing turmeric, jaggery, and red flowers in water.

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-On Ratha Saptami, devotees are encouraged to donate jaggery, grains, clothes, sweets, fruits, and other food items to the needy. Visit temples and distribute food items among priests as part of charity.

-Temples dedicated to Lord Surya are beautifully decorated with flowers. Mantras are chanted, and special pujas are performed to honor Lord Surya.

-The festival is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, the idol of Lord Surya is placed on a chariot, and grand processions are carried out.

Ratha Saptami 2026: Significance

Ratha Saptami is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated to honour Lord Surya, the Sun God. Ratha Saptami 2026 is observed as the birth anniversary of Lord Surya, symbolizing the moment when the Sun illuminated the entire world with his divine radiance. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls in January or February and is celebrated two days after Basant Panchami.

On this auspicious day, it is believed that Lord Surya begins his northward journey (Uttarayan) in his celestial chariot. Ratha Saptami also marks the onset of the summer season and holds great importance for farmers, as it symbolises the beginning of the harvest season and the renewal of life and prosperity.

(With TOI inputs)