Mon Feb 03 12:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Ratha Sapthami: Ancient Sun Worship Tradition Observed with Datura Leaves
**Hyderabad, India –** The annual Ratha Sapthami festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the Magh month, is marked by a unique tradition: many devotees bathe after placing Datura ( *Datura metel*, also known as jimsonweed or thorn apple) leaves on their heads. This practice, according to religious scholars, is deeply rooted in ancient sun worship.
Ratha Sapthami, also known as Surya Jayanti, celebrates the sun god Surya, depicted as having a chariot drawn by seven horses, each representing a color of the rainbow and a day of the week. Vedic scriptures and epics detail the significance of Surya worship, citing examples like Lord Rama’s recitation of the Aditya Hridayam Stotram to appease Surya before defeating Ravana, and Dharma Raja’s sun worship to obtain an Akshaya Patra (inexhaustible vessel) to feed his followers.
The Datura leaf, known as *arkapatra* in Telugu, is considered sacred to the sun god. Devotees believe bathing with these leaves, which are also used in Ayurvedic medicine, brings auspiciousness and removes planetary and vastu doshas (architectural flaws). It is also believed to reduce body heat and eliminate toxins. The milky sap of the plant is also used in traditional medicine. Interestingly, the white variety of the plant is even used to create the image of Ganesha.
The festival also includes rituals like offering *payasam* (a sweet rice pudding) to the sun god, and drawing a *ratham* (chariot) rangoli. The practice underscores the enduring connection between ancient Hindu traditions and the celestial bodies.
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