Festivals
Date
Sheetala Satam
Relevant Timings
Purvanno Muhurat
3 Sep, 9:37 am – 12:18 pm, 3 Sep
Duration - 02 Hours 41 Mins
About
Sheetala Satam is observed on the seventh day of the Krishna Paksha in Shravana. It is a unique festival where no fresh food is cooked, and the household fires are not lit.
Significance:
Goddess Sheetala is the deity of cooling and is believed to protect children from diseases like smallpox and high fevers. The festival emphasizes hygiene and the importance of 'cooling' the body and the mind.
Rituals & Puja Vidhi:
1. Basoda (Cold Food): Food is prepared a day earlier (on Randhan Chhath). On this day, only stale or cold food is consumed. 2. Sheetala Puja: Women worship the Goddess with water, curds, and lamps. They avoid lighting any fire in the kitchen. 3. Offering: Cold water and curd are offered to the Goddess to represent her cooling nature. 4. Katha: Listening to the stories of Goddess Sheetala and her compassion for her devotees.