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Upcoming Festival-Sheetala Saptami 2021
Sheetala Saptami 2021 Date
April 3, 2021 - SaturdayThis vrat is experiential in the month of Sravana on the seventh day of the shady fortnight. On this day Sheetala Mata’s puja is performed after taking bath in the morning. One cold serving of food is eaten through the day.
It is written in the Skand Purana that donkey is the vehicle of Sheetala Mata. Sheetala Mata holds a broom in her one hand and a kalash in her other hand. The one who observes the Sheetala Vrat bathes in a river or in a pond. There Sheetala devi’s image is placed on the banks of river or pond.
Sheetala devi is accessible cooked food and ghee. On this day cold food is eaten the food that was safe to eat cooked the previous day. For the vrat observer, it is prohibited to eat warmed or hot food on this day.
Those who can have enough money it, can make golden image of Sheetala devi and jointly with the image of the vehicle (donkey) place the devi’s image on eight petalled lotus flower. Offer bend with connected palms saying ‘My pranam to Sheetala devi’ and perform puja. In some places people offer raw flour and gor as naivedya to the devi. It is usual to eat only one serving of food on Sheetala Saptami Day.
Sheetala Mata Vrat Katha :
In the olden days, Hastinapur was ruled by king Indralumna. His wife’s name was Pramila, who was full of confidence and dedication and was keen on the theater spiritual ceremonies and rituals. They had a son, Mahadharma by name and their daughter’s name was Shubhakaari. She was given in marriage to prince Gunvaan, son of king Sumati who ruled Kaundinyanagar.
Prince Gunvaan lived up to his name. He was a good prince. A year after the marriage, Gunvaan went to his in-laws to fetch his wife. The king asked his son-in-law to stay over because the next day was the day of Sheetala Saptami Vrat. The king invited a Brahmin and his wife for the observance of Sheetala Saptami Vrat. The king’s daughter Shubhakari mounted a chariot and with her female friends set out for the puja observance of Sheetala devi. The puja was to take place by some lake.