Ratha Saptami 2026 Date and Time: Puja Rituals, Mantra and Significance

Mahima Sharma / TOI Religion / Updated: Jan 25, 2026, 09:49 IST

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Ratha Saptami is one of the most prominent festivals, which is celebrated with great grandeur and enthusiasm across the country. Ratha Saptami is also known as Magha Saptami, Magha Jayanti and Surya Jayanti. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Surya. On this auspicious day, devotees offer prayers to Lord Surya with great devotion and purity. This year, Raha Saptami is being 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, 2026Saptami Tithi Ends - 11:10 PM on Jan 25, 2026Snan Muhurat on Ratha Saptami - 05:26 AM to 07:13 AMCivil Dawn on Ratha Saptami - 06:48 AMSunrise time on Ratha Saptami - 07:13 AM

Ratha Saptami 2026: Significance

Ratha Saptami is one of the most significant Hindu festivals which is celebrated to honor Lord Surya. The festival of Ratha Saptami 2026 is celebrated as the birth anniversary of God Sun. It is believed that Lor Surya illuminated the whole world with his brightness. According to the Gregorian Calendar, the festival occurs during the month of January-February and the festival is celebrated two days after Basant Panchami. On this day, Lord Surya starts the journey to the Northern hemisphere in his chariot. This day also marks the beginning of summer season and this symbolizes the harvest season for the farmers.

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Ratha Saptami 2026: Rituals and Traditions

Wake up early in the morning and take holy bath in sacred rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada and Shipra. This rituals will purify your body and if you are unable to take holy dip in sacred river then you can take bath at home by adding gangajal in the normal water.

The day is considered an extremely auspicious for fasting and appease Lord Surya. This will also purify your body, mind and soul and devotees can connect to the divine energy. Refrain from tamasik food.

Offering Arghya to Lord Surya is one of the main rituals. After taking bath, one should offer Arghya to Lord Surya by adding turmeric, jaggery, and red flowers in that water.
On should donate jaggery, grains, clothes, sweets, fruits and other food items to the needy people. They are advised to visit the temple where they should distribute food items among the priests.
On this auspicious day, the temples which are dedicated to Lord Surya are decorated with flowers, mantras are chanted, special pujas are performed to honor the Lord Surya. The festival is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu where the image of Lord Surya is placed on a chariot and processions are carried out.