Goddess Worship — Vedic Puja Vidhi
Sheetala Puja
Sheetala Puja is the worship of Goddess Sheetala (also spelled Shitala), the cool and gentle goddess who presides over fevers, poxes, skin diseases, and infectious ailments. Her name literally means "the cool one" and she is invoked to cool the body and mind afflicted by burning fevers and epidemics. Depicted riding a donkey and carrying a broom, a water pot, and a fan of neem leaves, she both spreads and cures disease. She is worshipped throughout North and East India, especially in villages, and has gained renewed relevance as a goddess of epidemics and public health. Her chief festival, Sheetala Ashtami (Basoda), falls eight days after Holi.
Last updated: 23 April 2026 · Source: Vedic Tradition
Benefits
Protects the family from fevers, chickenpox, measles, and other skin and infectious diseases, ensures quick recovery from ongoing illness, grants the blessings of good health and immunity especially for young children, protects against epidemics and community-wide outbreaks, removes the heat and aggravation associated with pitta-related diseases, and bestows the cooling grace of the goddess on the household.
Step-by-Step Procedure
On Sheetala Ashtami (Basoda), prepare cold food the previous evening as no cooking is done on this day. Bathe early in the morning and carry a pot of cold water, curd, and stale rice (basoda) to the Sheetala shrine or perform puja at home. Place an image of Goddess Sheetala and offer neem leaves, cold water, stale cooked food, and a broom. Sprinkle cold water around the house as an act of cooling. Light a ghee lamp and incense. Chant the Sheetala Chalisa or Sheetala Stuti. Pray for the health of children and the family. Distribute the stale food as prasad.
Best Time (Muhurat)
Sheetala Ashtami (Basoda) — eight days after Holi, on Krishna Ashtami of Chaitra month — is the primary festival day. Also worshipped on every Monday and during outbreaks of fever or pox in the community. The early morning hours before sunrise are most auspicious.
Materials Required (Samagri)
- ·Sheetala Mata image
- ·Neem leaves
- ·Cold water (earthen pot)
- ·Stale cooked rice and food (basoda)
- ·Curd and raw sugar
- ·Small broom (symbolic)
- ·Ghee lamp
- ·Incense sticks
- ·White or blue flowers
- ·Turmeric and kumkum
FAQ
Q.What is Sheetala Puja?
Sheetala Puja is the worship of Goddess Sheetala (also spelled Shitala), the cool and gentle goddess who presides over fevers, poxes, skin diseases, and infectious ailments. Her name literally means "the cool one" and she is invoked to cool the body ...
Q.What are the benefits of Sheetala Puja?
Protects the family from fevers, chickenpox, measles, and other skin and infectious diseases, ensures quick recovery from ongoing illness, grants the blessings of good health and immunity especially for young children, protects against epidemics and community-wide outbreaks, removes the heat and aggravation associated with pitta-related diseases, and bestows the cooling grace of the goddess on the household.
Q.What is the best time to perform Sheetala Puja?
Sheetala Ashtami (Basoda) — eight days after Holi, on Krishna Ashtami of Chaitra month — is the primary festival day. Also worshipped on every Monday and during outbreaks of fever or pox in the community. The early morning hours before sunrise are most auspicious.
Q.What materials are needed for Sheetala Puja?
Sheetala Mata image, Neem leaves, Cold water (earthen pot), Stale cooked rice and food (basoda), Curd and raw sugar, Small broom (symbolic), Ghee lamp, Incense sticks, White or blue flowers, Turmeric and kumkum.