Sun-worship Vratas (43) Viśoka-saptamī

The Viśokasaptamīvrata is observed on the seventh day of the bright fortnight in the month of Māgha. On the sixth day, the worshipper, after brushing his teeth and rubbing black Sesamum on his body, takes bath and observes fast for the whole day. At night, again brushing his teeth, he takes kṣarā pudding that is prepared with rice, Sesamum and milk, with ghee. On the seventh day morning, after taking the bath and finishing his prayer he worships the Lotus, made of gold with the words arkāya namaḥ, etc.^[1] The Brāhmaṇas are offered food in a vessel containing raw sugar and the golden Lotus is gifted to a Brāhmaṇa along with a pair of red clothes. The vrata lasts for a year. At the end of it, a pitcher of water along with golden Lotus should be given away along with bedstead, milch cow, etc.^[2]