Sun worship observed on the 7th lunar day (Saptami) for health, vitality, and prosperity.

Bhanu Saptami is the Saptami tithi that falls on a Sunday, the day ruled by Surya. Saptami is the tithi of the Sun's own birth — Ratha Saptami in Magha commemorates it — and when it coincides with Bhanuvara, Sunday, the combination is regarded as especially powerful for Sun worship. The Bhavishya Purana says that bathing at sunrise, offering arghya to the Sun and giving charity on Bhanu Saptami yields merit equal to that of a solar eclipse. Devotees rise before dawn, bathe, and offer water mixed with red sandal, red flowers and akshat from a copper vessel to the rising Sun, chanting his names and reciting the Aditya Hridayam, the hymn the sage Agastya taught Lord Rama before his final battle. Many keep a fast with a single salt-free meal. Surya is the soul of the zodiac and the giver of health, vitality, sight, confidence and authority; worship on this day is recommended especially for those with a weak or afflicted Sun in the horoscope, for eye and skin ailments, and for success in government and leadership. This year it falls on the Maha Saptami of Navratri.

Many take a single salt-free meal during the day after offering arghya.