Shitala Satam (Gujarat) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Mothers: Mothers observe this vrat to seek the protection of Shitala Mata for their children against fevers, pox, and other illnesses.
• Families: The whole household takes part by eating only cold, previously cooked food, praying for good health and freedom from disease (Arogya).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Day Before (Randhan Chhath): All the food for Shitala Satam is cooked the previous day, and the hearth is cleaned and the fire put out by night.
• Morning Puja: Shitala Mata is worshipped in the morning, after the bath, with the cold food prepared the day before. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Eating the Prasad: The family eats only the cold food through the day; no fire is lit and nothing fresh is cooked.

About the Festival

Shitala Satam is a much-loved Gujarati observance in which families worship Goddess Shitala, the Mother who cools and heals, and eat only cold food. It takes place on the Saptami (seventh day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravan.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Shitala Mata)

Once upon a time, in a village, there lived an old woman with her two daughters-in-law, each of whom had a young son. As the custom was, on the eve of Shitala Satam, the hearth was to be put out and all the food cooked a day earlier, so that on the day of the Goddess only cold food would be eaten.

That year, the younger daughter-in-law, who had a newborn baby, cooked fresh food on the day itself. Shitala Mata, who protects children from the burning fevers of the season, was displeased by this breach of the vow. Soon after, both the children were seized by fever and pox, and before long they lay lifeless. Heartbroken, the two women carried the children and set out into the forest, weeping and blaming themselves.

On the way, they met an old woman lying beneath a tree, her body burning with heat and covered with sores. Moved by compassion, the two women forgot their own grief and applied cool curd (dahi) to her body until her pain eased.

The old woman, who was none other than Shitala Mata herself, was pleased and advised them: "You have served me with a pure heart. Go home and keep my vrat with faith. Never light the hearth on my day, and eat only cold food, and your children will be safe." By her grace, the children rose as if waking from sleep. Since that day, mothers have observed Shitala Satam, worshipping the Goddess and eating cold food for the health of their families.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Murti: Picture or small idol of Shitala Mata
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick (lit from the previous day's flame or a matchstick, as families prefer)
• Sacred Water Container: A small Kalash or vessel filled with cool water
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Cold dishes cooked the day before, such as Thepla, Puri, Dahi (curd), Kansar or Sukhdi, and boiled Moong
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, sacred thread (kalava), and turmeric paste

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 with cool water, and wear clean, light-coloured clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Shitala, today I observe your vrat for the health and protection of my children and my family. Keep us safe from fever and disease."
3. Do not light the hearth or cook anything fresh through the day; the family eats only the food prepared the day before.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean a place in the house and sprinkle it with cool water.
2. Place the picture or idol of Shitala Mata on a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
3. Place the Kalash filled with water near the Goddess and arrange the cold Naivedya in a plate before her.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and place it in front of Shitala Mata.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Haldi, and Akshat to the image of the Goddess and to the Kalash.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a piece of Kalava around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Offer the cold dishes, along with a little curd, to the Goddess.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully before the Goddess and recite or listen to the Shitala Mata Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the story, sprinkle the held grains at the feet of the Goddess.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Shitala Mata Aarti with the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Offer water from the Kalash to the Goddess, praying for the health of your children.
3. Sprinkle a little of the Goddess's offered water on the children as a blessing.

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 cold prasad among your family members and children.
3. Eat the cold food as the day's meal, keeping the hearth unlit until the vrat is complete.