GOTW - Festival Game - Page 3

Originally posted by: Proud-India

It is famous in Gujarat.

This year on 13Th August in Shravan month.

Here the story.

Shitala Satam Vrat-Shitala Satam (Saptami)
Compiled by Shree Veeranandaji Maharaj.

(Deity presiding over the disease of smallpox. On this day, food cooked on the previous day (unheated) is eaten by the Vratdhari)

This vrat is observed in the month of Sravana on the seventh day of the dark fortnight. On this day Shitalamata's puja is performed after taking bath with cold water. One cold meal is eaten during the day.

It is written in the Skand Purana that donkey is the vehicle of Shitalamata. Shitalamata holds a broom in her one hand and a kalash (container with water) in her other hand. The one who observes the Shitala vrat bathes in a river or in a lake. There Shitaladevi's image (murti) is placed on the banks of river or lake. Shitaladevi is offered cooked food and ghee. On this day cold food is eaten; the food that was cooked the previous day (cooked on chhatthi or sixth day). For the vratdhari (one who observes this vrat), it is forbidden to eat warmed or hot food on this day.

Those who can afford it, can make golden image of Shitaladevi and together with the image of the vehicle (donkey) place the devi's image on eight petalled lotus flower. Offer obeisance with joined palms saying 'My pranam to Shitaladevi' and make puja. In some places people offer raw flour and gor (molasses) as naivedya to the devi. It is customary to eat only one meal on Shitala Saptami day.

Katha (from Bhavishyottar Purana)

In the olden days, Hastinapur was ruled by king Indralumna. His wife's name was Pramila who was full of faith and devotion and was keen on performing religious 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 virtuous prince. A year after the wedding, Gunvaan went to his in-laws to fetch his wife. The king (his wife's father) asked his son-in-law to stay over because the next day was the day of Shitala Saptami vrat. The king invited a Brahmin and his wife for the ceremony of Shitala Saptami vrat. The king's daughter Shubhakari mounted a chariot and with her female friends set out for the puja ceremony of Shitaladevi. The puja was to take place by some lake.

you can found more about Mata Shitla on wiki . Links : Shitla Mata