Shitala Satam is held on the 7th day of the Shravan month, one day before Krishna Janmashtami and one day after Randhan Chhath. It’s also known as Sheetala Satam or Shitla Saptami. The Skanda Puranam, which contains the Shitala Mata Strotra, also known as ‘Sheetalaashtak,’ written by Lord Shiva, explains the benefits of worshipping Mata Sheetala.
Shitala Satam Significance
Shitala Satam is held on the 7th day of the Shravan month, one day before Krishna Janmashtami and one day after Randhan Chhath. It’s also known as Sheetala Satam or Shitla Saptami. The Skanda Puranam, which contains the Shitala Mata Strotra, also known as ‘Sheetalaashtak,’ written by Lord Shiva, explains the benefits of worshipping Mata Sheetala.
Shitala Satam is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Shitala, the Goddess of Pox and Measles. Getting immunity to smallpox or other diseases is a cause for celebration. This is a significant day for Indians, particularly Gujaratis.
Shitala Devi is revered and adored as a type of Shakti in Hinduism. She is thought to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Sheetala is supposed to be a natural healer, and her name Sheetala means “cools” in Sanskrit. In different parts of India, the Goddess is known by several names. Many Hindus, Buddhists, and tribal peoples revere her and refer to her as Ma or Mata (mother).
Shitala Mata is a prominent deity in the northern Indian regions. She is also venerated and regarded as Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife. In South India, the Goddess Mariamman is thought to have assumed Shitala Mata’s role and is worshipped by the Dravidians.
Shitala Satam 2021 Date and Puja Muhurat
Shitala Satam will be celebrated on the 29th of August 2021, Sunday. The puja muhurat is between 06:42 am and 07:05 pm.
Shitla Satam Rituals and Puja Vidhi
The ceremonial tradition of Shitala Satam is similarly followed as Basoda and Sheetala Ashtami that are celebrated after Holi in North India. The most important ritual of Shitala Satam is to avoid cooking food on that day. Family members must not consume fresh food, and hence, on the day of Randhan Chhath just before Sheetala Satam, most Gujaratis prepare food in abundance. This food is sufficient enough to be taken the next day, i.e., the day of Shitala Satam. Below are the rituals to be followed on this day:
- On the pious occasion of Shitala Satam, devotees take bath in a lake or river before sunrise and establish an image or idol of Shitala Ma. Then it is decorated using turmeric powder, sandalwood paste, vermillion (Sindoor), or Kumkum.
- Devotees who can afford it, also make a golden sculpture of Shitala Mata who is seated on her vehicle (a donkey).
- Join palms and offer homage to Shitladevi by doing puja with Aarti.
- After the puja, offer fruits with 16 varieties of naivedyams. Some devotees also offer flour and gud (jaggery), or rice mixed with ghee (butter) which was prepared on Randhan Chhath.
- People read Sheetla Mata Vrat Katha or story to gain blessings of the goddess.
- As per the customs, only one meal should be taken on this day.
- People also visit the Shitala Mata temple, where the Devi is worshipped using turmeric powder and Bajra (Pearl millet).
- In Rajasthan, people celebrate this festival with full fervor and immense devotion. Also, a huge fair is organized, and many musical programs are also conducted on this day.
Sheetala Mata Vrat Katha or Story
The Shitala Satam festival is the subject of numerous legends. The most essential one references Indrayumna, a great and righteous ruler. He had a daughter Shubhakari, who married Prince Gunvan, and a wife named Pramila. Sheetala Satam was celebrated by everyone in the kingdom, and fasting was practised with zeal. Shubhakari had once travelled to her father’s royal region to attend the major festival and fast as was customary.
Shubhakari went to a lake with a few companions to execute the ceremonies. They became disoriented and sought assistance from anyone who happened to be passing by. An elderly lady directed them to the exact road to the lake and supported them in performing the puja and fasting procedures. Shitala Mata was impressed by their puja ritual and granted Shubhakari a blessing. Shubhakari, on the other hand, promised the goddess that she would only use the blessing if she was truly in need.
Shubhakari and her companions came across a destitute Brahmin family on their route back to the kingdom. One of the family members had perished as a result of a snake bite, and the family members were devastated. Shubhakari couldn’t get enough of this sight, so she begged to Shitla Mata for her boon to be utilised to bring the dead Brahmin back to life. After the prayer, the Goddess granted the Brahmin life. This experience left an indelible impression on everyone’s minds, and they realised the significance of the Shitla Satam celebration. Everyone began conducting Shitla Mata puja vidhi and observing Vrat with sincere devotion and piety after that.