In Gujarat, the day before Krishna Janmashtami has a calm, settled feel. It is like the old traditions are quietly sitting beside you. This is Shitala Satam, a day for Sheetala Mata, the goddess whose name means ‘the one who cools.’ On this day, no cooking is done; everything is prepared the day before. Sheetala Mata is considered ‘the healer’, keeping families safe from fevers and illnesses that once caused real trouble. People believe that on Shitala Satam, Sheetala Mata visits her devotees in silence, so they slow down, rest at home, and care for themselves as a way of honouring her.

The date and timing for Shitala Satam 2025  

Shitala Satam is always celebrated on the seventh day (Saptami tithi) of Shravan month, right after Randhan Chhath, the day everyone cooks the food they will eat cold the next day. In 2025, the festival falls on August 15.

Puja Muhurat: 06:03 am to 06:31 pm

Saptami Tithi Begins: 02:07 am on August 15, 2025

Saptami Tithi Ends: 11:49 pm on August 15, 2025

It is a long window for prayers, but the mood isn’t rushed. The whole thing is less about doing ‘more’ and more about doing ‘less’, letting the fires, both inside and outside, cool down a bit.

Why does Sheetala Mata matter?

Shitala Mata goes way back, all the way to the Skanda Purana. Legends say that Lord Shiva himself wrote the Shitala Mata Stotra (Sheetalaashtak), a hymn in her honour. People see her as a form of Durga, a strong protector, but also someone with a gentle hand for healing. And she’s not tied to just one place or one name; she is known and loved in many forms across India. In North India, she is Shitala Mata. In South India, among Dravidian communities, she is Mariamman. Some Buddhists revere her too. But the belief is always the same: if you approach her with discipline and humility, she will guard you from sickness and unseen harms.

Rituals of Shitala Satam

The ceremonial tradition of Shitala Satam is similar to Basoda and Sheetala Ashtami, which are celebrated after Holi in North India. But here in Gujarat, it carries its own flavour. The most important ritual is simple: don’t cook food on that day. Family members must not consume freshly prepared meals. That is why on Randhan Chhath, the day before, most Gujaratis prepare enough food to last for the next day. Here are the rituals followed on Shitala Satam:

• On the morning of Shitala Satam, devotees take a bath in a lake or river before sunrise. They then keep an image or idol of Shitala Mata on an altar or in the puja room, decorating it with turmeric powder, sandalwood paste, vermillion (sindoor), or kumkum.

• Prayers are whispered, and homage is paid through a puja with aarti.

• After the puja, fruits and 16 varieties of naivedyam are offered. Some devotees also offer flour and jaggery, or rice mixed with ghee, all of it prepared the day before.

• The Shitala Mata Vrat Katha is read to seek her blessings.

• According to custom, only one meal is taken on this day.

• Many visit Shitala Mata temples, where the Goddess is worshipped with turmeric powder and bajra (pearl millet).

The story of Sheetala Mata that people still tell

There is the old tale of Shubhakari, a princess who loved the Goddess deeply. One Shitala Satam she went to a lake with friends to perform rituals, but sadly lost her way. An old woman appeared, helped her find the right spot, and guided her through the puja. Later, the old woman revealed herself as Shitala Mata and blessed Shubhakari with a single boon. After some time, Shubhakari saw a Brahmin family grieving. Their son had died from a snake bite. She prayed to Shitala Mata to use her boon, and the boy came back to life. The message was clear: sincere devotion can turn even the coldest despair into healing.

Why kitchens stay silent on Sheetala Satam

On the surface, it is a health precaution. Cook once, let the heat fade, and avoid fresh fire that might spread illness. But if you look at it deeply, you realise that it is also about balance. Just as Sheetala Mata cools fevers, the festival slows down the heat and hurry of everyday life. This is a day to step out of the loop of cooking and serving, and just exist with what you already own.

Benefits of observing Shitala Satam

Encourages Rest: The day is a time to slow down and recharge to give both body and mind the rest they deserve. 

Spiritual Protection: Many devotees believe the Sheetala Mata grants immunity against fevers and other ailments.

Strengthens Family Bonds: Sharing cold meals and sitting together in prayer is believed to strengthen the home’s emotional fabric.

Mindfulness Practice: Teaches the art of living with what’s already available instead of chasing more.

Shitala Satam may have started as a protection against diseases, but it remains relevant as a reminder to cool down. Even now, when medicine has replaced much of what faith once handled, this quiet day feels like something we still need.

Ask Agastyaa. Let AstroSure.ai help you find your calm, the way Shitala Mata cools both body and mind