Surya Shashti Fast is celebrated on the Shasti Shukla paksha
of Bhadrapad month. This festival is dedicated to Lord Surya Deva. On this day
Lord Sun is worshipped by chanting Gayatri mantra. Sun has special importance
in our lives. He is the one who provides life and energy to plants and
creatures on this day.
Therefore, Lord Sun is worshipped on this day with proper
rituals by the devotees. People observe Surya Shashti fast to get blessed with
suitable life partner, child, or prosperity. The glory of Surya deva can be
read in various ancient scriptures. It is believed that worshipping him with
full faith and respect fulfills all the desires of a person.
Surya Shashti Fast Rituals
On the day of Surya Shashti the observers should wake up
early and take bath in a lake, pond or river near to his house. After taking
bath, he should worship the sun during sunrise while standing at the bank of
the river. Light a lamp with pure ghee and worship the lord with Camphor, dhoop and red flowers.
After taking bath in the rivers, the observer should offer
water containing seven types of flowers, rice, sandalwood, sesame, etc. to the
rising sun. He should bow his head and offer his prayers to the lord while
chanting surya mantra 108 times. After performing the rituals, the observer
should chant Lord Surya name and his mantra entire day and feed brahmins and
poor people as per his potency. He should also donate clothes, food, grains etc
to the priest or to a poor man.
Importance of Surya Shashti
Surya Shashti fast is all about the worship of Lord Sun.
There is an immense importance of worshipping Lord Sun during this period. A
person worships Lord Sun on this day in order to be blessed and attain
happiness. This fast is considered to be very important. It is believed that it
brings happiness and wealth. This fast cures all kinds of eye diseases. Sun is
considered to be the life and energy of the universe. Many people observe this
fast for a child. It is also believed that this fast makes the bond stronger
between the son and the father.
A person observing this fast should do it with full faith and as per the rituals. Many diseases and health problems can be treated with the rays of the sun.