Rise before sunrise. Bathe and wear clean red or saffron-coloured clothes. Face the east in preparation for the puja.

Hold water mixed with red sandalwood and flowers in the right palm. State your name, gotra, and the intention to pacify Surya graha for removal of afflictions.

Fill the copper vessel with water, add red sandalwood paste and red flowers. Place it on a bed of wheat grains. This represents Surya's energy.

Invoke Surya Deva by offering red flowers and lighting the ghee lamp. Recite "Om Suryaya Namah" and welcome the Sun God into the puja.

Chant the Surya Beej Mantra 7,000 times (or 108 times minimum). Use a rudraksha or sphatik mala. Face east and meditate on a brilliant golden-red orb.

Stand facing the rising sun. Pour water from the copper vessel in a continuous stream while chanting the Surya Gayatri. Offer three arghyas.

Donate wheat and jaggery to the poor or to a Brahmin. Copper items may also be given. Charity on Sunday helps pacify Surya's negative influences.

Conclude with a heartfelt prayer to Surya Deva for removal of planetary afflictions. Perform sashtanga namaskar. Distribute prasad to family members.