Ratha Saptami

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Ratha Saptami, also rendered Magha Saptami, is a Hindu festival that falls on the seventh day (saptami) in the bright half of the Hindu month Magha. It is symbolically represented in the form of the sun-god Surya turning his ratha (chariot) drawn by seven horses towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easternly direction. It also marks the birth of Surya and is hence also celebrated as Surya Jayanti .In recognition of its cultural and spiritual importance, the Government of Andhra Pradesh officially declared Ratha Saptami a state festival in December 2024, to be celebrated for three days, particularly at the prominent Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple in Arasavalli, Srikakulam district.