Randhan Chhath 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Women of the Household: Mothers and homemakers prepare the day's food and worship the hearth (Chulha), seeking the protection of their family from illness and fever.
• Mothers of Young Children: Many mothers observe it with special devotion to Shitala Mata, praying for the health of their children (Arogya).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: Bathe early and begin the day's cooking, as all the food for the next day must be prepared today.
• Cooking Time: The cooking is done during the day, before evening, since the stove is not lit again until the next day is over.
• Chulha Puja: The hearth is worshipped in the evening, during Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset), after the cooking is done. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Next Day: On the following day, Shitala Satam, no fire is lit and the family eats the food cooked today.

About the Festival

Randhan Chhath is a much-loved Gujarati observance in which families cook all the food for the next day in advance and worship the hearth, in honour of Shitala Mata, the goddess who protects from fever and disease. It takes place on the Shashthi (sixth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana.

The Katha (Story of Shitala Mata)

Once upon a time, in a village, there lived an old woman with her family, who revered Shitala Mata. It was the village's custom that on the day before Shitala Satam, all the food was cooked and the stove was put out, so that no fire would burn on the day of the goddess.

One year, a young daughter-in-law, who had a newborn child, forgot to put out the fire of her hearth after cooking, and on the day of Shitala Satam she cooked fresh food as usual. The goddess, who is cool and gentle by nature, was upset by the heat of the fire. Soon after, the newborn baby fell ill with a high fever, and the household was filled with grief.

An old woman of the village advised her: "Child, you have disturbed the goddess by breaking her rule. Go to Shitala Mata with humility, ask for her forgiveness, and observe her vrat with full devotion. She is the mother of all and will forgive you." The young woman followed her words, wholeheartedly worshipped the Mother, and offered cool food, with tears of repentance.

Pleased by her devotion, Shitala Mata blessed her, and her child recovered from the fever. Since that day, families have prepared their food on Randhan Chhath and eaten it cold on Shitala Satam, honouring the goddess and praying for the health of their children.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Image / Symbol: A picture or small idol of Shitala Mata, and the Chulha (hearth) which is to be worshipped
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi (turmeric), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop or incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A small vessel filled with clean, cool water
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Cold dishes cooked today, such as Thepla, Puri, Sukhdi, Dhebra, Vada, Kheer, or Bajra Rotla
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, Kalava (sacred thread), and Mehendi leaves or a coconut

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Mother Shitala, today I prepare this food with a pure heart and observe your vrat. Protect my family and children from illness and fever, and bless us with health."
3. Clean the kitchen and the Chulha thoroughly before beginning the cooking.

Step 2: Preparing the Day's Food

1. Cook all the dishes needed for the next day, so that nothing has to be cooked on Shitala Satam.
2. Prepare typical Gujarati dishes such as Thepla, Puri, Sukhdi, Dhebra, Vada, and Kheer.
3. Cover the food once it cools and keep it in a clean place, away from the stove.

Step 3: Performing the Evening Rituals

1. Cleaning the Hearth: Wash the Chulha with water and clean the area around it.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat to the Chulha.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava (red thread) on it.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place a portion of each dish cooked today before the hearth and the picture of Shitala Mata.

Step 4: Reciting the Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the Chulha and recite or listen to the story of Shitala Mata with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals near the Chulha.

Step 5: Aarti and Extinguishing the Fire

1. Perform the Shitala Mata Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Bow before the hearth, seeking Mother's protection for your family.
3. Put out the fire in the Chulha completely, and make sure it is not lit again until Shitala Satam is over.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the cooked food as prasad among family members and children.
3. Eat only sattvic food, and keep the rest for the next day, to be eaten cold on Shitala Satam.