Mitrotsavam

Mitrotsavam (Mitrolsavam, Mitra Ulsavam, Mitra Puja) is a Hindu festival worshipping the Sun God Mitra or Surya that has been celebrated since Vedic times. Mitra is a Vedic Devata, one of the guardians of Cosmic Order, along with Varuna. Rig Veda VIII. 25.8:^[1].

Surya is glorified in Vedic mantras as the expeller of darkness and evil. The most sacred Gayatri mantra, composed by Sage Vishvamitra, worships the Sun as Savita.

In the Ramayana, Lord Rama is initiated into the worship of Surya by Sage Agastya who teaches him the Aditya Hridayam. This helps Lord Rama to gain strength and vanquish evil.

On Mitrotsavam day, devotees conduct Pujas and worship the Sun for prosperity, health and courage. They extoll Mitra as the originator and sustainer of all life, as a Pratyaksha Devata. They perform Surya Namaskara, recite 108 names of Surya, and pray for help to ward off evil, infirmity and disease. Mitra worship is considered especially beneficial for ailments of the eye and mind.

In 2008, Mitrotsavam fell on Thursday, December 25.

References

1. ^ THE CALL OF THE VEDAS by A C Bose, Bombay, Bhavan's Book University, 1970. 3rd edition.