Sheetla Ashtami (15-Mar-2012)
Submitted by admin on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 13:47
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Sheetala Ashtami Pooja is celebrated every year on the eighth day of waning moon in the month of Chaitra (March-April). This Pooja is held in the honour of Sheetala Mata, known to be a form of Goddess Parvarti. There is belief that Goddess Sheetala should be worshiped for protection from epidemic diseases. Sheetala Mata is popular as goddess of chicken pox and small pox. Many people of rural India believe that by paying reverence to the goddess on this day there will be immunity all around and the children will be safe from the hazards of epidemics. |
The Belief and Form of Sheetala Mata:
Sheetala Mata is described as wearing a red-colored dress and rides on a donkey. She symbolically represents nature’s power of generating viruses. She is depicted having 4 hands holding: a silver broom, winnow fan, small bowl and a pitcher with Gangajal. Her idol also emphasizes cleanliness to get good health and auspiciousness.
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