Sheetala ashtami and its rituals
Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated with great zeal and passion in cities like Jaipur, Chaksu, Jodhpur and Kaga of Rajasthan. It is celebrated after Holi in March or April month in the spring season. On this day, the Sheetla Mata is worshipped, as it is believed that worshipping her on this day protects family members from disease like smallpox. Markets and houses are decorated, fair is organized in the local market place and many items are placed like food items, indigenous shoes, agricultural implements and cattle are also sold. Sheetala Mata wears red colored dress and rides over the donkey.
What is the story behind this day ?
Sheetala means cooling in English. Lord Brama created Sheetla mata and promised her that she will be worshipped on Earth, but she has to carry lentils seeds for it. It is said that Katyayani was an incarnation of Goddess Durga. There was a demon called Jwarasur who spread hazardous diseases like dysentery, cholera, smallpox, measles etc. Katyayani cured diseases of most of people with her powers. She is assumed as Shitala Devi as she relieves her worshippers from all diseases mainly fever. She is having four hands in which she holds winnowing fan, a short broom, a drinking cup and jar of cooling water. She has got power to cure all diseases. On this day, she as a young Batuk fought with Demon Jwarasur and got defeated. She disappeared and faded as dust. Jwarasur was shocked to see all that. Then the dust took form of male figure which had four arms and three eyes. He was holding a sword, a battle ax, demon head and his hair were flowing and the pitch became black in color and eyes were blazing with fury. The figure was wearing skin of tiger and skulls’ garland. The young Batuk became Lord Shiva. This incarnation was named Bhairav. Bhairav finally killed the demon with a trident.
What are rituals of this day?
On this day, pooja room is cleaned and performed. Also no cooking is done and only cold or food cooked last day is eaten. The food cooked last day is donated to Mata Sheetala in the form Prashad. On this day people visit temple with food prepared by them last day. The food prepared last day is called basi or stale by the local people. Curd, Rabri and Bajra are the main eatables on this festival. All the things prepared, are eaten cold and are also offered to diety. A mandap is prepared and red stone that represent Sheetala Mata is also placed. Water is sprinkled over the mandap.
Fair is organized at most places. The most famous temples of Sheetala Devi are in Rajasthan , Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh .