Ratha Saptami, the seventh day of the bright half of Magha, is the day the Sun is said to turn his chariot north. In Kannada homes the morning bath is taken with seven leaves of the ekka plant placed on the head and shoulders, and a chariot is drawn in rangoli at the door. Vishnu temples take their deities out on the Surya Mandala, and Mysuru holds a mass Surya Namaskara.
The story
The Sun rides a chariot of one wheel drawn by seven horses. The day is counted as his birthday, and the vow kept on it is for health.
At Melukote, the hill town of Ramanuja, Cheluvanarayana is taken through the streets from early morning on a succession of mounts, beginning with the disc of the Sun.
How it is kept
- Ekka-leaf bathSeven leaves, with a few grains of rice.
- Ratha rangoliA chariot drawn at the threshold.
- HuggiSweet pongal is cooked and offered to the Sun.
- Surya NamaskaraDone in groups at sunrise, 108 rounds by the keen.
Why this date
Ratha Saptami is the Saptami of the bright half of Magha, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Ratha Saptami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Thursday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Saturday | |
| 2031 | Wednesday |
More Kannada festivals
15 JanuaryMakara Sankrantiಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ
6 MarchMaha Shivaratriಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ
7 AprilYugadiಯುಗಾದಿ
20 December 2026Vaikuntha Ekadashiವೈಕುಂಠ ಏಕಾದಶಿ
22 MarchHoliಹೋಳಿ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
15 December 2026Subrahmanya Shashthiಸುಬ್ರಹ್ಮಣ್ಯ ಷಷ್ಠಿ
Where to see Ratha Saptami
In Karnataka
- Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple, MelukoteKarnatakaA day of processions on the hill of Ramanuja.
- Mysore PalaceKarnatakaThe palace temples take out their deities, and the city gathers for Surya Namaskara.
- UdupiKarnatakaThe chariots are drawn round the car street of the Krishna Matha.
Across India
- TirumalaAndhra PradeshThe Lord rides seven vahanas between sunrise and nightfall.
- KonarkOdishaThe Sun's temple, built as his chariot.
- Suryanar KovilTamil NaduThe Sun's shrine among the nine planetary temples.