Hello Friends! Today we are going to talk about Sheetala Mata. Shitala Mata is worshiped as the goddess who protects from smallpox and other infectious diseases. Although Sheetala Mata is worshiped throughout the year, but Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month is given special importance as Shitalashtami. Come, let us know Sheetala Mata’s Aarti, her worship method, fasting story, and other important things related to her.

Aarti of Shitala Mata

जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।
आदि ज्योति महारानी,
सब फल की दाता ॥
ॐ जय शीतला माता..॥

रतन सिंहासन शोभित,
श्वेत छत्र भाता ।
ऋद्धि-सिद्धि चँवर ढुलावें,
जगमग छवि छाता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

विष्णु सेवत ठाढ़े,
सेवें शिव धाता ।
वेद पुराण वरणत,
पार नहीं पाता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

इन्द्र मृदङ्ग बजावत,
चन्द्र वीणा हाथा ।
सूरज ताल बजावै,
नारद मुनि गाता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

घण्टा शङ्ख शहनाई,
बाजै मन भाता ।
करै भक्तजन आरती,
लखि लखि हर्षाता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

ब्रह्म रूप वरदानी,
तुही तीन काल ज्ञाता ।
भक्तन को सुख देती,
मातु पिता भ्राता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

जो जन ध्यान लगावे,
प्रेम शक्ति पाता ।
सकल मनोरथ पावे,
भवनिधि तर जाता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

रोगों से जो पीड़ित कोई,
शरण तेरी आता ।
कोढ़ी पावे निर्मल काया,
अन्ध नेत्र पाता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

बांझ पुत्र को पावे,
दारिद्र कट जाता ।
ताको भजै जो नाहीं,
सिर धुनि पछताता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

शीतल करती जननी,
तू ही है जग त्राता ।
उत्पत्ति व्याधि बिनाशन,
तू सब की घाता ॥

ॐ जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।

दास विचित्र कर जोड़े,
सुन मेरी माता ।
भक्ति आपनी दीजै,
और न कुछ भाता ॥

जय शीतला माता,
मैया जय शीतला माता ।
आदि ज्योति महारानी,
सब फल की दाता ॥
ॐ जय शीतला माता..॥

Sheetala Mata fasting story

A popular story related to Sheetala Mata Vrat is as follows – Once upon a time there lived an old woman in a village. She was a great devotee of Sheetala Mata. She used to observe all the fasts and festivals of Sheetala Mata with complete rules and devotion. Once, just a day before Shitalashtami, another woman came and settled in his village. When the new woman came to know about the old woman’s fast, she started making fun of her.

The old woman was very sad about this, but she kept her faith in God and observed Shitalashtami fast the next day as per the rituals. Whereas, the other woman did not follow the rules and prepared non-vegetarian food. By doing this Sheetala Mata became angry. All the sons of the old woman remained healthy, whereas all the children of the new woman died after suffering from a disease like smallpox.

When the new woman realized her mistake, she went to the old woman and apologized. After this he also prayed to Sheetala Mata and observed a fast. Due to this his dead children also became alive. Since then the glory of Sheetala Mata Vrat has increased even more.

Shitala Mata Puja Method

• Wake up in the morning and take bath, wear clean clothes and install the idol or picture of Sheetala Mata on the post.
• Offer water, milk, flowers, sandalwood, roli, incense, lamp, fruits, naivedya etc. to the mother.
• Recite Sheetala Mata’s Aarti and Chalisa.
• Be sure to recite Shitalashtami Vrat Katha during puja.
• Finally, ask for forgiveness from all the Gods and Goddesses for your mistakes.

Shitala Mata worship material

• Statue or picture of Sheetala Mata
• Roli
• kumkum
• Rice
• Flower
• Milk
• Water
• betel leaves
• Betel
• Kapoor
• ghee lamp
• cardamom, cloves
• Fruit
• Sweet
• stale food (one day old)

Important facts related to Shitalamata

• Sheetala Mata is considered the goddess who calms fever.
• He is worshiped as a cure for diseases, especially skin diseases.
• The meaning of the word ‘Sheetala’ is – ‘One who provides coolness’
• The main vehicle of Sheetala Mata is Gardabha (donkey).
• Mother is holding a pot in one hand and a broom in the other.
• At some places, Ghantakarna, the god of fever, is also worshiped along with Sheetala Mata.
• Shitalashtami is celebrated with great pomp in Hinduism, especially in North India.
• During Navratri, special pujas are performed at some places on Saptami and Ashtami dates.

Mantra of Shitala Mata

At many places, the mantra of Sheetala Mata is chanted during worship. The most popular mantra of Sheetala Mata is as follows:

Om Virupakshayai Vidmahe Sarvarog Nivarinyai Dhimahi. Tanno Sheetala Prachodayat॥

What to do and what not to do on Sheetalashtami (Sheetalashtami Do’s and Don’ts)

What to do:

• Keep a fast and worship Sheetala Mata regularly.
• Listen or read the story of Sheetala Mata.
• Consume stale food (cooked a day before).
• Give food and donations to the poor and needy.

what not to do:

• Do not eat hot or fresh food.
• Do not light a fire.
• Do not use grinder, mortar etc.
• Avoid getting angry and behave lovingly with your family members.

Experiences of devotees related to Sheetala Mata

In many parts of India, many types of experiences of devotees associated with Sheetala Mata can be heard. Many devotees believe that after listening to their prayers, Sheetala Mata has saved their family from diseases. Many people also talk about getting the desired results by fasting on Sheetala Mata.

Shitala Mata Temple

• Sheetala Mata Temple, Gurgaon:  Gurgaon, adjacent to Delhi, is famous for the ancient temple of Sheetala Mata.
• Sheetala Mata Temple, Dewas:  Dewas in Madhya Pradesh is known for two important temples of Sheetala Mata (Chhoti Mata and Badi Mata).
• Shitala Mata Temple, Varanasi:  This temple located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is also very popular.

Apart from this, there are many temples of Sheetala Mata in many other parts of the country like Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, etc.

Benefits of Shitala Mata Puja

• Major benefits of Shitala Mata Puja include:
• Everyone in the family remains healthy and is protected from diseases.
• Provides protection from smallpox or other infectious diseases.
• Peace and happiness and prosperity reside in the mind.
• Protects from obstacles in life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. When is Shitalashtami celebrated?

A. Shitalashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month.

Q. Why is stale food consumed?

A. It is believed that consuming stale food does not generate heat in the body, which pleases Sheetala Mata.

Q. Are Sheetala Mata and Durga Mata the same?

A. In many Puranas, Sheetala Mata has been described as a form of Goddess Durga.

Q. Can pregnant women observe Sheetala Mata fast?

A. It depends on him and the doctor’s consultation. It is better to consult a doctor on this subject.

conclusion

Dear readers, I hope you liked this information about Shitala Mata. Shitala Mata is an important goddess in Indian culture who protects from diseases. Worshiping him not only brings physical health but also mental peace and prosperity. My best wishes to all of you on the festival of Sheetala Mata!