Surya Puja / Aditya Puja / Sun Planet Puja / Surya Dev Puja
Surya Puja is a sacred Hindu ritual performed to honor and seek the blessings of Lord Surya, the Sun God. Revered as the source of all life, energy, and light in the universe, Surya is a primary deity in Hinduism. Performing this puja is believed to infuse one with vitality, courage, success, and prosperity. It is particularly significant for individuals seeking relief from health issues, career growth, or for those whose astrological charts indicate a weak or malefic Sun.
Purpose
To gain good health (especially for eyes, heart), vitality, success, fame, leadership qualities, overcome obstacles, mitigate negative astrological effects of a weak or afflicted Sun (Surya Dosha), seek blessings for prosperity, remove negativity, and achieve inner strength and spiritual enlightenment.
Key Rituals
Sankalpa (Intention): The devotee declares the purpose and resolve for performing the puja.
Sthapan (Installation): Placing the idol or image of Lord Surya in a clean, purified space.
Dhyanam (Meditation): Meditating on the form of Lord Surya.
Avahan (Invocation): Invoking the presence of Lord Surya.
Asana (Seating): Offering a comfortable seat to the deity.
Padya, Arghya, Achaman (Washing, Offering Water, Sipping Water): Offering water to wash the deity's feet, hands, and for sipping.
Snanam (Bathing): Bathing the idol/picture with water, Panchamrita (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar), and pure water.
Vastra (Clothing): Offering new clothes or a fresh piece of cloth.
Gandham (Scent): Applying sandalwood paste (Chandan) or other auspicious scents.
Akshat (Rice Grains): Offering unbroken rice grains mixed with turmeric.
Pushpam (Flowers): Offering red flowers, especially hibiscus, red oleander, or red lotus.
Dhupam (Incense): Lighting incense sticks and offering the smoke to the deity.
Deepam (Lamp): Lighting a ghee or oil lamp and offering its light.
Naivedyam (Food Offering): Offering various food items, particularly those associated with Surya (e.g., jaggery, red lentils, kheer, fruits).
Japa (Mantra Chanting): Reciting Surya Mantras using a mala (rosary) for a prescribed number of repetitions (e.g., 108, 1008 times).
Stuti/Path (Hymns/Recitations): Reciting sacred hymns like Aditya Hrudayam Stotram.
Aarti (Waving of Lamps): Waving a lamp in a clockwise circular motion while devotional songs are sung.
Pradakshina (Circumambulation): Performing clockwise circumambulations around the deity or altar.
Pushpanjali (Flower Offering): Offering a handful of flowers while reciting prayers.
Kshama Prarthana (Apology Prayer): Seeking forgiveness for any mistakes or omissions during the puja.
Prasada Vitaran (Distribution of Offerings): Sharing the consecrated food (prasad) among devotees.
Common Offerings
Water (especially for Arghyam at sunrise)
Red flowers (hibiscus, red oleander, red lotus are preferred)
Sandalwood paste (Chandan)
Akshat (unbroken rice grains mixed with turmeric)
Ghee lamp and incense sticks
Sweets made with jaggery or brown sugar
Red lentils (Masoor Dal)
Wheat or wheat-based products
Kheer (rice pudding)
Red cloth or a piece of red fabric
Fruits (especially red or orange ones)
Betel leaves and nuts (paan-supari)
Dakshina (monetary offering)
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Hram Hrim Hraum Sah Suryaya Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Surya, the Sun God. (A powerful seed sound mantra dedicated to Surya)
Benefits
This Surya Beej Mantra is chanted to enhance vitality, dispel negativity, strengthen the positive influence of the Sun in one's horoscope, promote good health, energy, and overall well-being.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Ghrini Suryaya Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to the Sun, who radiates warmth and light. (A simpler, yet potent mantra often used during water offerings)
Benefits
Chanting this mantra is believed to improve health, bring success, mental peace, and remove obstacles. It is commonly recited while offering water to the rising sun.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.
Meaning
We meditate on the adorable glory of the Divine Light of the Vivifier (Savitar - a form of Surya). May He enlighten our intellect.
Benefits
The Gayatri Mantra, addressed to Savitar (the Sun God as the dispeller of darkness), is renowned for enhancing wisdom, spiritual growth, concentration, purification of mind and body, and bringing overall well-being.
Auspicious Days
Sundays (especially the first Sunday of Shukla Paksha - waxing moon period)
Rath Saptami (Surya Jayanti - the day Surya's chariot turns northwards)
Makar Sankranti (the Sun's entry into Capricorn)
Any day during the Uttarayana period (when the Sun moves northwards)
Specific tithis (lunar days) or nakshatras (lunar mansions) that are astrologically favorable for the Sun as per one's horoscope.
Regional Variations
While the core rituals remain consistent, regional variations exist. In South India, the recitation of 'Aditya Hrudayam Stotram' is a very prominent and often extended part of Surya Puja. The specific offerings, prasad, and accompanying folk songs or prayers might vary based on local customs and traditions. The 'Arghyam' (offering water to the sun) ritual is universal, but specific mantras or the timing (e.g., only at sunrise) might vary. Some regions might incorporate specific charity activities, such as donating wheat, jaggery, or red clothes, as part of the puja's remedies for Surya Dosha.
Related Pujas
Navagraha Puja (Surya is one of the nine celestial bodies worshipped in this puja)
Chhath Puja (a major ancient Vedic festival in parts of India and Nepal dedicated to Surya and Chhathi Maiya)
Aditya Hrudayam Path (often performed as a standalone daily practice or as a significant part of a larger Surya Puja)
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations - a yogic practice involving physical postures and salutations to the Sun)