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Thousands of residents from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli gathered astatine section temples connected Sunday (January 25, 2026) to observe Ratha Saptami, the commencement day of the Sun God. Known arsenic Surya Jayanti, the festival marks the time Lord Surya begins his travel connected a chariot drawn by 7 horses, signalling the onset of spring.
From the aboriginal hours, devotees performed accepted beatified bath by placing 7 Arka (Jilledu) leaves connected their heads. This ritual, performed during the ‘Arunodaya’ period, is believed to bring bully wellness and lavation distant past sins.
Major Sun temples successful the metropolis witnessed dense devotee footfall connected the occasion. The historical Surya Narayana Swami temple astatine Peda Waltair saw agelong queues starting from 4 a.m. Special prayers were offered arsenic the archetypal rays of the prima fell connected the temple’s sanctum.
At the caller Goshala country of the temple, connected the Adavivaram-Hanumanthwaka road, the section assemblage organised corporate prayers and offered ‘Kshirannam’ (milk rice) to the deity. In Pineapple Colony (Adavivaram), the Surya Narayana Swamy temple adjacent Simhachalam witnessed galore performing Surya Namaskarams connected the temple premises.
Devotees signifier Odisha performing puja to ‘Sun God’ connected the juncture of Ratha Saptami astatine RK Beach successful Visakhapatnam connected Sunday. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU
The devotees from Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli besides travelled to the celebrated Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple successful Arasavalli of Srikakulam district.
Police successful Anakapalli person issued advisories owed to the dense question of vehicles connected NH-16, arsenic pilgrims instrumentality from Arasavalli. Local commuters were advised to expect delays adjacent the Hanumanthwaka junction and the Simhachalam attack roads until precocious evening.
