Sheetala also written as Shitala, means 'cooling' and it is the name of the goddess who offers us relief and solace from suffering caused by health epidemics.
In our current trying times, this becomes even more relevant. Ofcourse, we should take all the necessary medical precautions and follow all the required health-directives, but at the same time, it may be a wise idea to also obtain some blessings from this divine Goddess. It is believed that since ancient times, goddess Sheetala Devi has helped people during epidemic healing crises! In the past, she was particularly invoked and prayed to for protection from smallpox, chickenpox, and other such viral infections.
In our current trying times, this becomes even more relevant. Ofcourse, we should take all the necessary medical precautions and follow all the required health-directives, but at the same time, it may be a wise idea to also obtain some blessings from this divine Goddess. It is believed that since ancient times, goddess Sheetala Devi has helped people during epidemic healing crises! In the past, she was particularly invoked and prayed to for protection from smallpox, chickenpox, and other such viral infections.
The goddess Sheetala devi is iconographically shown crowed with a winnowing-fan and carrying a broom, dustpan, neem leaves and a pot of holy water to symbolically indicate that she brushes away all the dis-ease causing factors and disinfects and purifies our living-space.
She is believed to have emerged from the sacrificial fire-ceremony (yagna), that was performed by the cosmic divine energies (Devas) for honoring and appeasing the prime Divine Mother Goddess Parvati.
Goddess Sheetala Devi is mainly worshipped by women. She should be prayed to on a regular basis for good health, and she is particularly revered and honored on the 7th and 8th day after Holi, which are marked as Sheetala Saptami and Sheetala Ashtami respectively. On these days, devotees offer prayers to the divine mother and seek her blessings to not only cure any existing illnesses, but also for prosperity and health for their entire household, village, or town.
Sheetala Devi is recognized and honored by various names across different regions of the Indian subcontinent. She is considered as another manifested form of Goddess Kathyayini (also written as Katyayani).
Goddess Sheetala Devi is associated with both Hindu as well as Buddhist beliefs and traditions.
She is believed to have emerged from the sacrificial fire-ceremony (yagna), that was performed by the cosmic divine energies (Devas) for honoring and appeasing the prime Divine Mother Goddess Parvati.
Goddess Sheetala Devi is mainly worshipped by women. She should be prayed to on a regular basis for good health, and she is particularly revered and honored on the 7th and 8th day after Holi, which are marked as Sheetala Saptami and Sheetala Ashtami respectively. On these days, devotees offer prayers to the divine mother and seek her blessings to not only cure any existing illnesses, but also for prosperity and health for their entire household, village, or town.
Sheetala Devi is recognized and honored by various names across different regions of the Indian subcontinent. She is considered as another manifested form of Goddess Kathyayini (also written as Katyayani).
Goddess Sheetala Devi is associated with both Hindu as well as Buddhist beliefs and traditions.
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