Bhanu Saptami is a day when the sun god is worshipped. Sun is the source of light and thus in that context is one of the most important aspects of life and living in itself.
It is of little wonder then, that Sun God is an extremely important deity in the Hindu religion.
The Sun God as a Hindu deity is worshipped on a day to day basis, but He is specifically worshipped with lot of reverence on couple of particular days as Bhanu Saptami.
Bhanu Saptami is observed on the following months – Magh, which is January or February, Falguna which is February or March, Jyestha which is June or July, Kartik month which is November or December and in the Margashirsh month, which is the December January.
The shukla paksha saptami or the 7th day of the waxing phase of the moon of these months is the day when the Sun God is worshipped especially by different Hindu communities.
Bhanu Saptami is believed to be the birthday observance of the Sun God. It is believed that this is the day when he made his first appearance in his chariot driven by the 7 horses.
Legend behind Bhanu Saptami
According to the legends and also sources, the Sun being the source of energy and heat cures all kinds of diseases. It is believed that the Sun God cures a devotee of all kinds of ailments. According to a legend, long back Lord Krishna’s son Shamb was very proud because of his own physical strength and handsomeness. Being obsessed with his physical wellness, he disrespected the ggreat and angry sage Durbasha. Durbasha, feeling humiliated cursed Shamba that he will suffer from leprosy, which will mar his physical beauty and make him deformed.
Shamba, went to Lord Krishna in sorrow and asked for his help. Lord Krishna asked Shamba to observe the Bhanu saptami vrat or ritual as observance of this day can cure all kinds of diseases. Shamba worshipped Sun God and was cured of his leprosy. Thus a devotee worshipping Sun God is not cured of all his ailments, but also blessed with a son and a prosperous life.
Bhanu Saptami observances
On this auspicious day, devotees should wake up early and take a bath before sunrise. According to some, this bath should be taken after keeping some Badar leaves or Ark leaves on top of his head. Women draw Rangoli on this day to welcome the beneficial Sun God to their house. Milk is boiled facing the sun, as it is believed that the boiled milk reaches the Sun God. After the bath, the devotee should mix 7 types of rice, grains; fruits etc in water and offer it to the Sun God. The devotee should also chant Om Ghrani Suryaya Namah’ or ‘Om Suryaya Namah. Reading of Aditya Hridiya Stotra is also considered to be extremely beneficial and auspicious. Kheer made of bolied milk, wheat and 12 heaps of grains are offered to the Sun God. Grains are donated to the Brahmins on this day as it is considered to be beneficial. Lamps, camphor and flowers are also donated on this day.
Benefits of Bhanu Saptami
There are lots of benefits to be had from the Bhanu saptami observances, such as –
- Worshipping the Sun God with utmost purity, keeps the human being healthy throughout life
- Brahmins worshipping the sun do so in the wish to become celestial
- Observance of this vrat redeems a person of his sins of degrading a Brahmin
- This vrat performed by women makes them knowledgeable and bestows them with good fortunes.
In India, there is only one temple where the Sun God is worshipped, this is known as the Shri Navagraha. On this day a mahavishek is performed after the arrival of the sun rays on the Durya Yantra. It is widely celebrated in Southern parts of India and also in some parts of western India.
People observe this with great devotion to attain virtues and health and women observe this in the expectation that they may get knowledge and be spared of widowhood.