Sun-worship Vratas (31) Mandāra-saptamī

The Mandārasaptamīvrata is observed on the seventh day of the bright fortnight in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa. On the fifth day, the worshipper should take the light meal, on the sixth day, fast is observed and at night mandāra flowers is offered to the deity. On the seventh day, Brāhmaṇas are made to partake of eight Mandāra flowers. A golden image of the Sun-god is made with a Lotus in his hand and places it in a copper vessel containing Sesamum. An eight-petalled Lotus is made on the ground and the Sun-god is worshipped offering one Mandāra flower on each petal. The image of the male Puruṣa is placed on the pericarp of the Lotus, and the image should be put on the white cloth and offering eatables, flowers and fruits the mantra sarvātmane namaḥ is uttered. After it, all these should be offered to a Brāhmaṇa. The vrata lasts for a year. The worshipper becomes free from the sins with its observance and all his desires become fulfilled.^[1]