How do I offer water (arghya) to the Sun in the morning?

soon after sunrise, facing east, pour water from a copper vessel in a steady stream while chanting a Sūrya mantra or the Gāyatrī.

Offering arghya to Sūrya is one of the oldest Vedic practices — it is the heart of sandhyāvandana — and a simple way to begin the day with gratitude to the visible source of life.

How it is commonly done: after bathing, fill a copper lotā with clean water; you may add a pinch of kuṅkuma or red sandal, a few grains of rice and a red flower. Stand facing the rising sun, raise the vessel to chest height or above, and pour slowly in a stream, chanting “Oṁ Sūryāya namaḥ”, “Oṁ Ghṛṇiḥ Sūryāya namaḥ” or the Gāyatrī mantra, often three times. Many glance at the sun through the falling water rather than directly. Then turn around in place once and bow.

Pour over a plant or into a plate whose water you later give to a plant, so it does not splash your feet. Sundays and the Āditya Hṛdayam are special to Sūrya. Never stare at the sun.

Source: sandhyāvandana tradition; Āditya Hṛdayam (Rāmāyaṇa) · Sunday is Sūrya’s day

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