Sun Festivals in India | Festivals of The Sun in India

Sun Festivals in India: Indians celebrate many sun festivals every year. During these festivals, people offer prayers to God Sun as per their local culture and traditions. We are here to know about the Sun festivals in India, their importance, and their celebrations.

Sun Festival in India

As per the Hindu cultural and religious belief, God is everywhere and in everything. Whether it is living or non-living things we worship mother nature in different forms. Sun is the greatest source of light and energy. The existence of life on Earth depends on Sunlight. How can we forget about the Sun? There are many famous Sun temples in India. People offer prayer to God Sun by visiting the Sun temple.

Sun Festival Celebration in India

Indian cultural diversity gives us more opportunities to celebrate the same festival in different ways.

Chhath Puja- Sun Festival in India

Chhath Puja is the biggest Sun festival in India. Originating from the North Indian state Bihar, nowadays people across India celebrate this festival. The festival is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartik month, shortly after the Festival of Lights – Diwali.

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the God Sun. This is the only religious festival that offers prayers to the Rising Sun as well as Sunset. During the festival, people offer prayers to God Sun (also known as Surya) and his wife Usha, the Goddess of the Daybreak. 

In accordance with a strict tradition, this is a period for the devotees to be fasting and abstaining from drinking water, as well as to be performing ablutions and standing in water for a long period of time and performing the ceremonies of worshiping the Sun rising or setting. It is noteworthy that this is one of the rare Hindu holidays in which priests are not involved at all. Know more:- Chhath Puja Celebration

Modhera Sun Festival – Ahmedabad

Modhera Sun Festival is a local festival or event that represents the culture and spirituality of the place.

The Sun Temple located in Modhera is one of the well-known spiritual places in Northern Gujarat. The Sun Festival is organized by the Gujarat Tourism Corporation in Modhera.

This event attracts a large number of artists nationally and internationally. This is mainly focusing on reintroducing monuments and heritage to the general public, especially the youth.

Modhera Sun Festival is a local festival or event that celebrates the region’s culture and spirituality.

The Sun Temple in Modhera is a well-known spiritual place in Northern Gujarat. Gujarat Tourism Corporation organizes the Sun Festival at Modhera.

This event gathers a big number of artists from all across the country and the world. This is primarily concerned with reintroducing monuments and heritage to the general public, particularly youth.

Ratha Saptami (Surya Jayanti)

Ratha Saptami is one of the famous Sun Festivals in India. The festival is observed by all Hindus and is dedicated to Surya. This festival is a Hindu festival that falls on the Seventh-day (Saptami) of the bright half of the Hindu month Magha. It is the beginning of the spring season and the start of a new harvest for Indian farmers. Indian farmers celebrated this festival as the new year

Ratha Saptami is also known as Surya Jayanthi because it celebrates the power of the Sun God who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day, Lord Vishnu in the form of Surya is usually worshipped.

On this day at Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh), Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) is mounted on Seven Vahanas (Celestial Vehicles) one after the other. Chakrasnanam rituals are also performed on the idols of Lord Venkateswara on the same day.

Sun Festival- Goa

The Sunburn Festival is a well-known electronic dance music festival held in Goa, India. It is one of Asia’s major music events, attracting thousands of music fans from all over the world. The festival is well-known for its upbeat music, beautiful graphics, and energetic environment.

The Sunburn Festival, which takes place in December around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, showcases some of the biggest stars in the electronic music world. The festival takes place over several days and includes various stages that cater to various kinds of electronic music, such as techno, trance, house, and others.

Aside from music, the festival also has adventure sports, flea markets, food vendors, and other activities. 

Aside from music, the festival also has adventure sports, flea markets, food vendors, and other activities. The festival, which is noted for its lively and celebratory atmosphere, has become a key draw for tourists visiting Goa.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the popular Hindu festivals. The festival is celebrated with different names across India. People celebrate this festival as per the local culture and tradition.

Makar Sankranti | Sun Festival in India

Makar Sankranti is a solar event making it one of the few Hindu festivals which fall on the same date on 14 or 15 January every year. It is the time when the sun transits the zodiac sign Makar (Capricorn) and moves toward the north.

People celebrate by taking a dip in the holy rivers flowing through states to cleanse themselves of sins. Popularly Known as Til Gud Festival. People consume this day til gur and jaggery laddoo, Chikkies. Gur Rewari, Peanuts, and Popcorn are the three munchies associated with this festival. Know more:- Makar Sankranti Celebration

Pongal- Sun Festival in India

Pongal Celebration

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal in South India. Pongal is a popular Harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is the festival to thank the God Sun for the abundant harvest. The 4 days of the Pongal celebration give us a chance to see the beautiful South Indian culture during the Pongal celebration. Know more:- Pongal Festival Celebration

Lohri- Sun Festival in India

Lohri Celebration

Lohri is a popular Harvest Festival in Punjab. Lohri festival is traditionally associated with the harvest of rabi crops. It marks the beginning of the end of winter, the coming of spring, and the New Year. Lohri is the festival dedicated to fire and the Sun. It means Lohri is also a Sun festival in India.

Also Read:- 

Cultural Festivals in India

Religious Festivals of India