Sheetala Ahtami for cure of infection is a Hindu ritual that refers to a festival celebrated to honor the birth anniversary of the goddess Sheetala, known as Mata Sheetala Devi too. The occasion is observed on the sixth day (Shashthi) of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, which falls in March or April.
Sheetala Devi is believed to be the deity of smallpox, measles, and various other contagious diseases. People worship her to seek protection from these nagging illnesses and to seek her grace for good health and total prosperity.
On this day, devotees go for special offerings and perform Puja rituals to appease goddess Sheetala. The devotees visit temples to offer Puja to the deity.
Where is it Observed?
Sheetala Jayanti is basically observed in North India, in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. It is a popular festival among the Hindu community residing in these regions. Devotees gather in large numbers to celebrate the occasion.
Sheetala temples located here are essential parts of the local culture, and they attract devotees round the year. However, on this auspicious day, the temples are beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, and special Puja rituals take place to honor the goddess.
Apart from North India, Sheetala Jayanti is also observed in various other parts of the country, including West Bengal, Maharastra and Odisha. However, significance and celebrations vary in different regions, depending on the very local customs and traditions.
Why is Sheetala Devi Worshipped?
In Hindu mythology it is described that Mata has the power to cure and prevent various infected diseases.According to legend, Mata Sheetala once appealed to Indra, the king of the gods, to grant her the special power to cure people of diseases that are caused by germs and viruses. Lord Indra granted her prayer, and she became the goddess of smallpox and various other contagious diseases.
Devotees worship Sheetala Devi to win her blessings for good health and protection from those infectious ailments. They believe that by performing Puja rituals in her honor, they can have her divine grace and win her blessings. The worship of Mata is extremely popular in North India, where outbreaks of contagious diseases were once very common. It is regarded that her blessings helped to protect against them.
Is There any Astrological Relevance With the Puja?
The Puja is observed in different part of the country and in Hindu astrology, the planet Mars (also known as Mangal) is associated with various infectious diseases and epidemics. Sheetala Devi is believed to have the grace of Mars too, and hence her worship is considered to have astrological significance to mitigate ill effects of Mars in one's horoscope.
According to Vedic astrology, a weak or malefic Mars in someone's horoscope may bring in serious health problems, accidents, and other misfortunes. By worshipping Sheetala Devi, who is considered to have the grace of Mars, one can propitiate this planet and win its blessings for good health and protection from all kinds of fatal and infectious diseases.
Therefore, rituals to arrange Sheetala Ashtami for cure of Infections are in vogue in India since time immemorial.
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Sheetala Ashtami starts after the spring season during the month of March. This year, Sheetala Ashtami shall fall on 14th March 2015, Saturday. This day is dedicated to Goddess Shitala. On this day, people prepare bhog or food for the Goddess Sheetala and also pray for the nourishment of their family and loved ones. Sweet dishes made of curd are a special attraction of this day.
Puja Vidhi
The devotees perform Ganesh Puja, Sheetala Homam or Sheetala Puja for the same. It is believed that performng Sheetala Homam or Sheetala Puja keeps one safe, healthy and curable to any infection. While some people observe fast on the day of Krishna Paksha to cure diseases like measles, chicken px and a lot more. The Homam is as follows
Namami Sheetaladevi Rasbhastha
Digambara
Marjani Kalshopeta Shurpalankrut Mastaka ||
Chanting this Sheetala Devi Mantra while performing Homam/ puja is very effective for getting recover from disease like pox etc., Worshipping Sheetala Mata helps one cure deadly disease like chicken px, measles and many other infections.
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