Hindu Community and Cultural Center 1232 Arrowhead Ave, Livermore, CA 94551

A Non-Profit Organization since 1977 Tax ID# 94-2427126; Inc# D0821589

Tel: 925-449-6255; Fax: 925-455-0404 Web: http://www.livermoretemple.org

Shiva-Vishnu Temple Om Namah Shivaya Om Namo Narayanaya

Ratha Saptami Sunday, January 29th 2012

saptāśva radha mārūḍham prachaṇḍaṃ kaśyapātmajam śveta padmadharam devam taṃ sūryam praṇamāmyaham

Ratha Saptami is a very auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. The Sun god travels in the north and south directions in a year. These are called Uttarayanam (the first half of the year) and Dakshinayanam (the second half of the year). At Shiva-Vishnu Temple Ratha Sapthami is celebrated by worshipping Aditya or Sun God with Kalasa Sthapana and Shodasha Upachara puja followed by Parayanam (Chanting) of Aruna Prasnam (Surya Namaskara Mantrams), Aditya Hrudayam. Aruna Prashnam has 132 Panchatems ( Mantrams ) within 32 Anuvagam (Sections) and each Anuvagam is dedicated to one aspect of Surya. At the end of reciting each PanchAsat, the devotee prostates to the Sun. Those who are not able to prostrate 130+ times can offer their worship with the prayer:

"Sri ChAyA SuvarchalAmbhA Sameta Sri SUrya NArAyaNa Swamine Namah:" Devotees can participate in the puja and do Surya Namsakaram at the end of each Sloka or Anuvagam depending of the capability, or meditate/listen to the once a year chanting. All devotees are encouraged to participate and receive divine blessings.

Event Schedule: 10:30 AM Aruna Parayanam with Surya Namaskaram

Hindu Community and Cultural Center 1232 Arrowhead Ave, Livermore, CA 94551

A Non-Profit Organization since 1977 Tax ID# 94-2427126; Inc# D0821589

Tel: 925-449-6255; Fax: 925-455-0404 Web: http://www.livermoretemple.org

Shiva-Vishnu Temple Om Namah Shivaya Om Namo Narayanaya

Ratha Saptami marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana) of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara). It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses, with Aruna as the charioteer, towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction. The symbolic significance of the ratha and the seven horses reigned to it is that it represents the seven colors of the rainbow. The seven horses are also said to represent the seven days of a week starting with Sunday, the day of Sun god Surya. The chariot has 12 wheels, which represents the 12 signs (each of 30 degrees) of the Zodiac (360 degrees) and constituting a full year, named Samvatsara. The Sun’s own house is Leo (Simha) and he moves from one house to the next every month and the total cycle takes 365 days to complete. The Ratha Saptami festival seeks the benevolent cosmic spread of energy and light from the Sun God. There are numerous references to praising the Sun to enhance good health and prosperity, in the Vedas. Some of these Vedic hymns were incorporated into Nitya Vidhi (Daily mandatory routine for a Hindu). These daily procedures were termed Surya Namaskara (literally translates as "sun salutations"). Many people worship Surya because he is called as “Aarogya and Aishwarya Datha” (provider of health and wealth). Surya is worshipped early in the morning while fresh sunrays emerge. It is believed and proven that exposure to fresh sunrays rejuvenate energy, and purify the mind and body.

Event Sponsorship: $ 21

For further details, please contact event coordinator

Sri. K. Venkateswaran at 408.997.2702 or

Temple Office at 925-449-6255 and select option 3