"Sheetala Saptami & Ashtami"- Unveiling the Divine Grace of Sheetala Maa: Guardian Against Ailments, Bestower of Blessings

In Sanskrit language, the word 'Sheetala' stands for its literal meaning: 'the one who cools.' In Hinduism, 'Sheetala' demonstrates 'the divine blessing of bestowing relief from suffering', similarly like how a cool breeze relieves a tired traveler on a sunny day. Sheetla Mata, also known as 'Shitala Maa', 'Seetla Mata', 'Thakurani', 'Karunamayi', 'Dayamayi', 'Bhagavati', 'Jagrani' and 'Mangala', is regarded as an incarnation of both Mata Parvati and Maa Durga, the two form of Shaktis worshiped in Hinduism. In her honor, Sheetala Saptami & Ashtami are celebrated on the seventh and eighth day respectively of Krishna Paksha in Chaitra month usually after 7 & 8 days of the festival of Holi. At some places, Sheetala Saptami is of utmost importance whereas in some places Sheetala Ashtami is more relevant.

This year, Sheetala Saptami & Ashtami are on '1st' & '2nd' April ‘24.

As per “Drik panchang”, the “tithi” for “Sheetala Saptami” is:

Sheetala Saptami on Monday, April 1, ‘24

• Saptami Tithi Begins - 09:30 PM on Mar 31, ‘24
• Saptami Tithi Ends - 09:09 PM on Apr 01, ‘24

& for “Sheetala Ashtami” is:

Sheetala Ashtami on Tuesday, April 2, ‘24

• Ashtami Tithi Begins - 09:09 PM on Apr 01, ‘24
• Ashtami Tithi Ends - 08:08 PM on Apr 02, ‘24

Sheetala Ashtami is also known by the name 'Basoda Puja' (meaning previous night).

As per “Drik Panchang”,

Sheetala Ashtami Puja Muhurat - 06:10 AM to 06:40 PM on 2 April ‘24, Wednesday

• Duration - 12 Hours 30 Mins

&

Sheetala Saptami Puja Muhurat - 06:11 AM to 06:39 PM

• Duration - 12 Hours 28 Mins

Sheetala Mata is featured as a women's goddess. In Hindu mythology, she is considered as the Goddess and controller of many diseases like smallpox, measles, chicken pox, and many more. She also serves as a fertility goddess. Sheetala Mata is summoned for ensuring the refreshing timely rainfall, the prevention of natural disasters like floods, droughts etc. and cattle diseases. In Tantric and Puranic literature, her appearance is personified. And the Skanda Purana mentions her sacred role as:

'For the sake of quelling boils and blisters (of smallpox) and for the sake of the children, a devotee takes Masura lentils by measures and grinds them. Due to the power of Sheetala, children become free from the disease.'

There's a hidden legend behind Sheetala Mata being called as the 'Goddess of Diseases': Whenever the balance of the Earth is disrupted by any negative energy, Durga Mata takes the most suitable form in order to vanish that evil element.

Once Goddess Durga was incarnated as 'Katyayani', the daughter of great Sage Katyayan. She protected the earth against the atrocities of the demons sent by Kaalkeya. One day, one of his demons, Jwarasura, infected the whole earth with diseases like chickenpox, dysentery, cholera and smallpox. In Sanskrit, 'Jwar' means 'fever.' Hence the fever of these deadly diseases spread all around and people started dying. Mata Katyayani tried her best to protect as many children as she could. But as the effect intensified, she took the form of 'Sheetala Devi.' She was holding a short broom, winnowing fan, a jar of cooling water and a drinking cup. She wiped out all the diseases and blessed the people.

When Jwarasura didn't stop even after all these, then Sheetala Mata asked his friend Batuk to kill the demon. Ultimately they had a fight and unfortunately, Batuk lost and died. On seeing the body of Batuk getting turned into dust, Jwarasura got happy. But as the dust became a three- eyed face with four arms holding a sword, trident and the demon heads, Jwarasura started frightening. He got to know that Batuk has transformed into Bhairava, the aggressive form of Shiva. And again they were involved in a fight. As a result, Bhairava beheaded the demon and his ruthless atrocity came to an end.

Because of this, Mata Sheetala is portrayed with Jwarasura and Kaal Bhairava in many temples of India.

The portrait of Sheetala Mata is represented as carrying a winnowing fan (which represents purification), a broom (dust off the negativity, a pot full of healing water (with soothing aura), neem leaves (as a healing remedy for skin problems) and donkey (which represents the humbleness and calmness).

In Gurugram of Haryana, she is considered as Kripi, the wife of Dronacharya. As per Hindu beliefs, cooking is prohibited on Sheetala Saptami & Ashtami. Various aarti sangrahas and stutis are performed. Cold food is served as 'bhog' to Sheetala Mata which is called 'Basoda.' The idea behind this is that as the spring fades and the summer approaches, cold food should be avoided. Reading 'Sheetalashtak' on this holy day also blesses one with the divine blessings of Mata. In the southern states, she's worshiped as 'Mata Poleramma' & 'Maa Mariamman.' In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Sheetala Saptami is observed as 'Polala Amavasya.' Sheetala Mata assists the women in getting good husbands and the conception of healthy children. She is also believed to be the goddess of protection, good fortune, health and power. She also drives away miseries and helps the devotees to gain strength for overcoming life crises.