Rathasapthami, or Ratha Saptami, is an important annual festival held at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple. The most important event of the day is the procession of Lord Venkateswara (Malayappaswamy) and his consorts atop seven Vahanams (vehicles). Ratha Saptami 2025 date in Tirumala is February 4. TTD observes the festival as Surya Jayanthi.
Tirumala Tirupati Temple scriptures indicate that Ratha Sapthami (also written as Rathasapthami) is being organized from 1565. On the day, Lord Venkateswara along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken on a procession around four mada streets atop seven vahanams:
The uniqueness of the festival lies in the fact that devotees can view and get the blessing of Balaji atop different Vahanas. Even during the famous Brahmotsavams, Lord Balaji mounts only on two Vahanas (vehicles). But on the Ratha Saptami day, devotees are blessed by the processional deities of Lord Venkateswara, Sridevi and Bhudevi from sunrise to sunset on seven different Vahanas.
Ratha Saptami is observed throughout India in different names. It is essentially the worship of Lord Surya (the sun god). The rituals vary from region to region.
Tirumala Tirupati Temple scriptures indicate that Ratha Sapthami (also written as Rathasapthami) is being organized from 1565. On the day, Lord Venkateswara along with His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken on a procession around four mada streets atop seven vahanams:
- Suryaprabha Vahanam,
- Chinna Sesha Vahanam,
- Garuda Vahanam,
- Hanumantha Vahanam,
- Kalpavriksha Vahanam,
- Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam,
- Chandraprabha Vahanam besides Chakrasnanam.
The uniqueness of the festival lies in the fact that devotees can view and get the blessing of Balaji atop different Vahanas. Even during the famous Brahmotsavams, Lord Balaji mounts only on two Vahanas (vehicles). But on the Ratha Saptami day, devotees are blessed by the processional deities of Lord Venkateswara, Sridevi and Bhudevi from sunrise to sunset on seven different Vahanas.
Ratha Saptami is observed throughout India in different names. It is essentially the worship of Lord Surya (the sun god). The rituals vary from region to region.
Surya Prabha Vahanam on Ratha Saptami in Tirupati Balaji Temple:
On the day of Rathasapthami in Tirumala, witnessing the Surya Prabha Vahanam is considered highly meritorious. The Vahanam arrives early morning just before sunrise carrying the Lord and this is the first and foremost vahana of Lord Venkateswara on the day.
Before dawn, Lord Malayappa Swami in the Suryaprabha Vahanam led by seven horses
wears all His five powerful armors including conch, chakra, mace, and sarja and is adorned with a diamond crown, the garlands prepared with diamonds and floral gardens comes out from the temple as a procession through the “Maha Pradakshina Marg” followed by elephants, horses, oxen, the groups of devotees singing ‘bhajans’ and chanting loudly the names of ‘Govinda.’ The entire temple attains a mood of pomp and gaiety.
Lord Venkateswara reaches the ‘dias’ arranged especially at the ‘north-west’ corner. Seated in the golden ‘Suryaprabha Vahanam’ led by seven horses, the rising sun baths Lord Venkateswara from feet to head with his red rays. The belief is that early morning sun takes the blessing of the Lord of Tirumala.
The priests offer fruits in a gold plate and offer grand and auspicious camphor ‘arati’ to the Lord.
Thousands of devotees arrive to see Lord Venkateswara on Suryaprabha Vahanam getting bathed in the early morning sunrise.
The belief is that those people who witness the ritual and offer prayers will never be troubled by Surya Graha dosha and other Navagraha doshas.