The Importance Of Observing her Vrat And Puja Vidhi
Sheetala (Sanskrit: शीतला, śītalā) “coolness”, also spelled as Shitala or Seetlaa, is a Vedic goddess venerated primarily in Northern parts of Bharat (India). She is an incarnation of Parvati devi. Sheetala devi is the goddess that Hindus worship to cure measles, poxes, sores, boils, pustules, and diseases, and is most directly linked with the disease smallpox. Sheetala devi is generally worshipped on a Tuesday as well as Saptami and Ashtami (the seventh and eighth Vedic tithi (day) of a Hindu month), especially after Holi during the month of Chaitra. The celebration of Sheetala on the seventh and eighth day of the Hindu month is referred to as the Sheetala Saptami and Sheetala Ashtami, respectively.
This year 2026, this auspicious day falls on the 19th of August in South Africa.
Sheetala devi is principally featured as a women’s goddess, portrayed as a mother who defends children from paediatric ailments, such as exanthemata (a skin rash accompanying a disease or fever). She also serves as a fertility goddess, who assists women and men in finding good husbands and wives respectively and the conception of healthy daughters and sons. Her auspicious presence promises the welfare of the family, and is also considered to protect the devotee’s sources of livelihood. Sheetala devi is also summoned to ensure refreshing rainfall and the prevention of famines, droughts, as well as livestock diseases.
The Skanda Purana describes her role… Chapter 12 – The Greatness of Śītalā devi.
Sage Sanatkumara said:
- Hereafter I shall describe the excellent Markateshvara. There is a well-known Tīrtha there, which fulfils all desires.
2-3. By taking the holy bath in that Tīrtha a man shall acquire the benefit (of the gift) of a hundred cows.
For the sake of quelling boils and blisters (of smallpox) and for the sake of the children, a devotee takes Masoor dal (lentils) by measures and grinds them. Due to the power of Śītalā, children become free from the disease.
4-5. O excellent Brahmana, neither sin nor poverty afflicts those men who devoutly visit Śītalā, the destroyer of sins. Nor need they fear ailments or the affliction of malignant Planets.
In Sanskrit, the name ‘Sheetala’ (शीतला śītalā) literally means ‘the one who cools’; as an epithet of the mother goddess or Devi revered in Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), ‘Sheetala’ represents the divine blessing of bestowing relief from suffering, like how a cool breeze relieves the weary traveller on a sweltering day. Sheetala devi is worshipped under varying names across the Indian subcontinent.
Sheetala is represented as a young maiden crowned with a winnowing-fan, riding a donkey, holding a short broom (either to spread or dust off germs) and a pot full of pulses (the viruses) or cold water (a vital healing tool). Notably, references to neem leaves are ubiquitous in Sheetala Devi’s liturgy and also appear in her iconography. This association with neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves likely demonstrates that this medicinal herb had indeed been recognised as possessing observable physiological, pharmacodynamic effects. Moreover, neem does find extensive mention in the Sushruta Samhita, where it is listed as an effective antipyretic, as well as a remedy for certain inflammatory skin conditions.
The Importance of worshipping Sheetala devi esp. on her main day the 19th of August 2026. Sheetala Satam is a day dedicated to Sheetala devi.
Sheetala Satam puja procedure
On 19th of August 2026, Sheetala Satam, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a bath before commencing with the rituals. On this auspicious day, devotees don’t even cook fresh foods on this day. In other words, devotees didn’t even light up their Choola (old fashioned outside stove). Devotees should prepare food on the previous day, Randhan Chhath, the subsequent day of Shashti (the 6th day of the lunar month’s dwindling sequence). Cooked vegetarian meals with ghee are among the varieties.
This following prayer process is very simple and cost effective. If you cannot pronounce the Sanskrit mantras then read the English translations I have translated.
Lord Ganesh Prayer Procedure
At your prayer place, place a Lord Ganesh murti or photo. Firstly offer an agarbatti, lamp (with either ghee or oil with a wick or a small piece of camphor), a flower (or all three on a tray) to Shree Ganesh (turn seven times clockwise around the murti or photo).
Then offer Lord Ganesh Naivedhyam (either sweet rice, Soji, sugar candy or fruits, etc).
Finally pray to Shree Ganesh, praying to him to remove all obstacles in the path of your Sheetala devi prayer that follows.
Mother Sheetala Prayer Procedure
At the prayer place, place a Sheetala devi photo.
Now chant the following:
- Hold your palms in the Namaste position and chant:
Om swagatam su swagatam – Om Sheetala devi-yai namah
(Swagatam means “O Mother Sheetala I welcome you”.) - Offer one or three incense sticks (dhoopam) by turning it seven times clockwise around Sheetala devi’s photo.
Om tato dhoopam aghraa-payaami – Om Sheetala devi-yai namah
O Mother Sheetala I offer you this incense, kindly accept my offering. - Then offer a clay or brass lamp (deepam) with either ghee or oil with a wick or a small piece of camphor by turning it seven times clockwise around the photo.
Om prat-yaksha deepam darshayaami – Om Sheetala devi-yai namah
O Mother Sheetala I offer you this lamp offering, kindly accept my offering. - Then offer flower (pushpam) or flower petals by turning it seven times clockwise around Sheetala devi’s photo.
Om idam pushpam – Om Sheetala devi-yai namah
O Mother Sheetala I offer you this flower, kindly accept my offering. - Then offer cut fruit or sweet meats or sweet rice (Naivedyam). As well as other foods that was cooked the previous day. Do put these cooked foods into little bowls or on a tray with a banana leaf. Turn the bowl or tray seven times clockwise around the photo and bring the bowl or tray near the lips of Mother Sheetala suggesting she partakes in the food offering. Then leave this in front of the photo. This is later consumed by the family as the Devi’s Prashad.
Om naivedyam samar-payaami – Om Sheetala devi-yai namah
O Mother Sheetala I offer you this food offering, kindly accept my offering. - Then in a cup (lota/chumbhu) which has * Dhaar turn the lota seven times clockwise around the photo and bring the lota near the lips of Devi suggesting she drink the Dhaar offering.
O Mother Sheetala devi I offer you this lota of Dhaar, kindly accept my offering. - Offer prayers for forgiveness
Om yaani kaani cha papani janmaantara kritaani cha
taani sarvaani nashyanti pradakshina pade pade //
“O Compassionate Mother Sheetala devi! Victory to You! Please do forgive all the errors committed by me with the hands, legs, speech, body, through actions, through the ears, eyes, mind or by not doing ordained actions or by doing prohibited actions”.
Then offer your personal prayers to Mother Sheetala devi. Ask Mother Sheetala for whatever you desire (within reason) and Devi being so merciful will grant what you desire. But be careful what you desire for. Bow down and leave the prayer place. The Dhaar is offered in your Devi thaan. The food offerings are eaten as prashadam.
- Optional: Suggested Mother Sheetala devi mantra you may chant 11, 21 or 108 times:
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं शीतलायै नमः
Om hreem shreem sheetala-yai namah
“Salutations to Sheetala Devi”. - Optional: You may sing or hear the Sheetala Chalisa. Sheetala Chalisa click ( HERE ).
- Optional: You may sing or hear the Sheetala Ashtakam. Sheetala Ashtakam click ( HERE ).
Sheetala Satam Vrat Katha
According to the Puranas, there was a faithful and honest king, Indradyumna. The king got married to a girl, Pramila. Shubhakari, the prosperous couple’s granddaughter, was married to Gunvan, the prince of a neighbouring region. The royal palace of Indradyumna observed Sheetala Satam vrat with equal passion for many years. Shubakari then finally returned to meet her mom on the occasion of Sheetala Satam. She and her friends went to a lake to witness the Sheetala Satam Vrat. Soon, they sought help as they lost each other. Later, one lady helped them, but she also asked to keep Sheetala Satam Vrat. Sheetala devi was impressed and blessed Shubhakari with a boon. On their way back to the kingdom, Shubhakari met a poor Brahmin family, who were in deep trouble as one of its members had died due to a snake bite. Witnessing such things, Shubhakari prayed to Sheetala devi and using her boon, she brought the dead Brahmin back to life. Hence, that’s how people understood the significance of observing the Sheetala Satam Vrat.
Although there are many advantages of observing Sheetala Satam vrat, the main one is that it is very advantageous for health. Sheetala devi improves health issues, and you can get blessed with long-term good health. A person suffering from any health disease may get recovered from it by the grace of Sheetala devi. Diseases such as smallpox, chickenpox, or measles can be removed with the help of the Goddess’s grace. Children suffering from any major health issues may get rid of it. Therefore, women keep fast for the good health of their children. Also, people living in urban areas visit a nearby temple and praise Sheetala devi to pray for their better health.
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