Sankranti marks Sun's journey to the Northern Hemisphere. The winter season ceases and spring season starts. Our bodies will have a chemical reaction with the sun rays and we become healthy. Many people pray to Sun during this time of the year. I would like to share an article that I recently read. Surya, the Sun, is considered as the only visible form of God that can be seen every day.

It is believed that Surya has been worshiped since ages to receive his kind blessings A simple Namaskaar (folding hands) makes him happy. Many people in India offer water in the early morning to Sun, which is called "Arghyam."

Surya is the son of Kashyapa muni and Aditi (daughter of Daksha). He is the chief of all Navagrahas (9 planets). Surya rides on a one wheeled chariot, which has seven horses, driven by Anooruni (brother of Garuda). He started riding this chariot on the seventh day in the month of Maagha, hence that day is called Ratha-Saptami. Surya Purana mentions that he has four wives, Sagnya, Padmini, Chayaa and Usha. He also has four sons (Yama, Vaiwaswata, Shani, and Aswini) and a daughter (Yamuna).

Surya is the god of light as per the Vedic texts and the literal source of life. According to the scientific fact, the whole universe is based on the process of photosynthesis which takes place due to the presence of Surya (the sun). Sun rays are rich source of Vitamin-D.

Rig Veda says, (verse 1-164-14) Sun is the center of Universe and the biggest star. Adharva Veda refers to Surya as god and remover of sins. Hindu puranaas explain several benefits of praying to Sun god. In Ramayana, Sri Rama prayed to Surya before going to war with Ravana. The great sage Agastya ‘Aditya Hridayam” sloka to Rama, to get powers to kill Ravana. The save Yagnavalkya received Vaajasaneya knowledge (Suklya Yajur Vedam) as boon from Surya. Lord Hanuman received knowledge of four Vedas by meditating upon Surya. Kunti was blessed with a son, Karna, by the power of Surya. It is believed that praying to Surya will help getting progeny. In Mahabhaarat, Surya blessed Yudhistir with Akshaya Patra to ensure abundance of food during Pandavas' exile. Satrajit, the father of Satyabhama - one of the 8 wives of Lord Krisha, received Samanthaka jewel from Surya, which gave gold everyday. Muni Praskanya was cured from his skin disease. In the Padma Puraana it is described that, a King named Bhadreswar, was relieved of Leprosy by praying to Surya. A poet, Mayoora was relieved of skin disease, as described in his poems. According to astrology, Surya has effect on economy, politics, agriculture, health, fame and wealth.

Sun is not only worshiped in Indian culture but also in other cultures. "Ra" or "Amun-Ra" is the ancient Egyptian Sun god. For the Egyptians, the sun most basically represented light, warmth, and therefore, growth. This made Ra very important to Egyptians. In Aztec mythology, farming people knew the forces of nature, and worshiped Sun god. They also referred Sun as God of war. In Greek mythology the Sun was personified as Helios. Helios was imagined as a handsome god crowned with the shining aureole of the Sun, who drove a chariot across the sky each day to circle around the earth. Look at the picture of sun God's chariot in Nordic Bronze Age mythology.

Worshiping Surya on Sankranthi and Ratha-Saptami

Worship of Sun God is believed to be very auspicious especially on Sankranti and Ratha-Sapami day. You can offer milk, fruits, and flowers to Surya on Ratha-Saptami day. You can also offer sweets made with whole wheat. For best results, eat til-gud (a mixture of sesame and Jaggery) and donate money and clothes. Surya Ashtakam and Aditya Hridayam are the two famous shlokas that people chant while praying to Surya. Some people do Surya Namaskars or Sun Salutations, chanting a shloka for each Surya Namaskar. It is said in the RigVeda that a person gets knowledge, good qualities, good health, wealth, progeny, and longevity by praying to Surya.

Participate in the Surya Namaskar Yagna, starting from Sankranti Jan 12th to Jan 27th.

Register here to participate, http://www.hssus.org/sny

Some famous Surya temples in India

• Arasavalli is located at Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh built around the 7th century.
• Konark, which is near Puri in Orissa built in the 13th Century.
• Ranakpur, in Rajastan was built in the 15th century.
• Other Sun temples in India

Sources

• http://books.google.com/books?id=wfr2BSDj_DMC&pg=PA31&lpg=PA31&dq=aditi+...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya
• An article from Rishipeetham Magazine.