Ratha Saptami

The Sun turns his chariot north.

Celebrated everywhere

Dates

YearDate
2026Sunday, 25 January 2026
2027Saturday, 13 February 2027
2028Thursday, 3 February 2028
2029Monday, 22 January 2029
2030Saturday, 9 February 2030
2031Wednesday, 29 January 2031

Dates are for Mumbai. A tithi that changes close to sunrise or sunset can fall a day earlier or later in another city, so for your own town open the festival in the app.

When it falls

7th day of the waxing moon, in Magha. Like every lunar festival it lands on a different Gregorian date each year. Muhurtha works the date out from the positions of the Sun and Moon, using the rule for this festival; see how every festival is dated.

The story

On this day the Sun god Surya is said to have turned his chariot of seven horses towards the north and begun his journey, marking the start of spring and the harvest season.

How it is kept

People bathe at sunrise, draw a seven-horse chariot in rangoli, cook milk and rice in the open until it overflows and offer it to the Sun.

Common questions

When is Ratha Saptami in 2027?

In 2027, Ratha Saptami falls on Saturday, 13 February 2027 in Mumbai. Dates for other years are in the table above.

How is the date of Ratha Saptami decided?

7th day of the waxing moon, in Magha. Like every lunar festival it lands on a different Gregorian date each year. Muhurtha works the date out from the positions of the Sun and Moon, using the rule for this festival; see how every festival is dated.

How is Ratha Saptami kept?

People bathe at sunrise, draw a seven-horse chariot in rangoli, cook milk and rice in the open until it overflows and offer it to the Sun.

Other festivals nearby

Open the Muhurtha app to see Ratha Saptami for your own town, with the exact time its tithi begins and ends. How every festival is dated.

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