Sheetala Saptami 2023 Date
Sheetala Saptami fast is dedicated to Mata Sheetala Devi. Devotees worship and offer prayers to Goddess Sheetala and ask for the well-being of their children and family and give relief from all the sufferings. Sheetala Mata rides a donkey and holds a broom.
It is believed that worshipping Goddess Sheetla protects from diseases like chickenpox and smallpox.
The Sheetala Saptami festival is mainly celebrated in the areas of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Gujarat. Shitala Mata is known as Goddess Mariamman or Goddess Poleramma in South India. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the festival of Sheetala Saptami is also known as Polala Amavasya.
It is believed that the devotee who worships Goddess Sheetla with a true heart and observes this fast gets relief from all the troubles. The weather starts to change from the day of Sheetla Ashtami. It is believed that summer starts from Sheetla Ashtami.
When is Sheetala Saptami in 2023?
Sheetala Saptami is celebrated at two different time periods. First, Sheetala Saptami is celebrated in the month of Chaitra during Krishna Paksha on the day of Saptami (seventh day) which is very important and popular as well. And, then it is celebrated second time in the month of Shravan during the Shukla Paksha on Saptami which is known as Shitala Satam.
Sheetala Saptami 2023 Puja Timings
Sheetala Saptami 2023 Date - Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Sheetala Saptami Puja Muhurat - 06:33 AM to 06:29 PM
Duration - 11 Hours 56 Mins
Sheetala Ashtami 2023 Date - Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Saptami Tithi Begins - 09:27 PM on Mar 13, 2023
Saptami Tithi Ends - 08:22 PM on Mar 14, 2023
Sheetala Saptami: Puja Vidhi
Sheetala Mata is offered stale food (the food that is prepared the previous evening) during morning worship and after bathing during the worship of the Sheetala Mata. Then the food is offered to all the members of the family as a Prasad.
Significance of Sheetala Saptami
Goddess Sheetala is an incarnation of Goddess Durga and Maa Parvati as per Skanda Purana. Sheetala Mata signifies the healing power of nature and thus the devotees worship and offer prayers to Goddess Sheetala to remain safe and protected from the diseases like chickenpox and smallpox. The term ‘Sheetala’ means ‘coolness’ or ‘cool’. The Sheetala Saptami fast is observed for the well being and good health of their children.
Sheetala Saptami 2023: Rituals to be followed
People wake up early in the morning and take a cold bath. Then visit Sheetala Mata temple to perform puja by offering bhog (curd, rice, halwa, puri, a kheer or rabdi etc), kalash, haldi, kumkum, akshat, flowers, sindoor, mehendi, kajal, red chunri, kalava, banana, coconut etc. Many people also perform puja at their home and seek a healthy and peaceful life.
Sheetala Mata Vrat Katha is read and listened to and the puja is concluded by singing Aarti.
