Sheetala Saptami 2025: Date, Timings, Rituals and Significance

Sheetala Saptami is an important Hindu festival that is primarily observed in India, particularly in the northern and western states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana. This festival is celebrated on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra, which this year, it is being celebrated today i.e., on Friday, 21 Mar, 2025. The day is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala, the goddess of cooling, healing, and disease prevention, particularly in the context of diseases caused by heat, such as smallpox and chickenpox.

Saptami Tithi Begins - March 21, 2025 - 02:45 AM
Saptami Tithi Ends - March 22, 2025 - 04:23 AM
Sheetala Saptami Puja Muhurat - 06:23 AM to 06:32 PM
Sheetala Ashtami will be observed on March 22, 2025.

The origins of Sheetala Saptami are linked to ancient Hindu traditions and the worship of Goddess Sheetala. According to Hinduism, Goddess Sheetala is believed to have the power to cure and prevent diseases, especially those caused by heat. She is considered a protector against smallpox, chickenpox, and other contagious diseases. Sheetala Saptami marks the occasion when devotees honor the goddess to seek protection from these illnesses and to ensure good health for the entire family. In some legends, it is believed that Goddess Sheetala herself was invoked by the prayers of the people to heal them from smallpox epidemics. Over time, this day became an occasion to worship the goddess and offer prayers for health, healing, and protection from diseases. The festival is believed to have been celebrated for centuries, particularly in rural areas where epidemics were once a common threat.

Goddess Sheetala is worshipped as the deity who brings relief from illnesses caused by heat, particularly contagious diseases like smallpox. The festival emphasizes the importance of health and the goddess’s role in safeguarding people from such diseases. Traditionally, Sheetala Saptami was celebrated as a means of seeking protection from smallpox and other similar diseases. Smallpox was once a deadly and widespread disease, and the festival served as a form of divine intervention to prevent outbreaks. People would worship the goddess, pray for the safety of their family, and ensure that no one would suffer from these illnesses.

Devotees observe a day of fasting, and the day is considered a time for spiritual reflection. Special prayers are offered to Goddess Sheetala, asking for good health and protection from illnesses. In many regions, people visit temples dedicated to the goddess or create small altars at home for the occasion. On Sheetala Saptami, devotees prepare specific foods, typically without using heat, as the goddess is associated with cooling. People often prepare cold foods like puran poli, kachaudi, curd rice, or sweets like halwa that are served cold. The idea behind this is that the offerings are prepared in a way that aligns with the goddess's cooling nature. Devotees often perform a ritual bath and cleanse their homes as a form of purification. This symbolizes both physical and spiritual cleansing.
A unique aspect of Sheetala Saptami is that, as a sign of reverence for the goddess, no one in the household is allowed to cook on this day. Instead, food that has been prepared earlier is consumed, symbolizing the cooling aspect of the goddess’s power. Given that children were historically most vulnerable to diseases like smallpox, Sheetala Saptami is especially important for ensuring their well-being. Parents pray to the goddess to keep their children safe from infectious diseases and to provide them with good health. The way Sheetala Saptami is observed can vary by region. In some places, it is celebrated with fairs and processions, while in others, the observance is more subdued, focusing mainly on home worship and fasting. Through this festival, devotees seek blessings for good health, happiness, and protection from ailments, making it an important event in the Hindu religious calendar.