Rajasthan

• 21 Feb 2024

Surya Namaskar Mandatory in All Rajasthan Schools

Why in News?

The state government has made Surya Namaskar mandatory for 10 minutes during the prayer meeting or assembly in the morning at all government and private schools across Rajasthan.

Key Points

• This was made official by the education minister while speaking at an event organised by the education department on the occasion of Surya Saptami.
  • During the event, 1.33 crore people from across the state performed Surya Namaskar.
  • A record of the event has been submitted to the World Book of Records, London.

Surya Saptami

• It is also known as Ratha Saptami. It is an annual Hindu festival that is dedicated to Surya, the sun god.
• It is made of two words- ‘Ratha’ means Chariot and ‘Saptami’ means seventh.
• A one-day Brahmotsavam is held in Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) on this day.
• It marks the birth of Surya and is referred to as Magha Saptami as it falls on the seventh day (Saptami) of the Hindu month Magha.
• Surya Saptami also marks the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season.