Ratha Saptami — Arka Snan & Surya Puja

Ratha Saptami is the birthday of Surya, when he is said to turn his chariot of seven horses northward, marking the warming of the year. Also called Arogya, Achala or Bhanu Saptami, it is a day to pray for health: bathing with seven arka (aak) leaves is believed to wash away the wrongs of seven lifetimes, and charity on this day is said to equal charity at a solar eclipse.