Shitala

Shitala

In rural India, Shitala is considered to be the incarnation of the goddess Parvati and Durga, who are two forms of Shakti. In Tamil Nadu, she is revered as Maryamman. Shitala is undoubtedly one of the most popular rural deities and her origins can be traced back to the time of nature worship.

Legend says that the goddess Shitala wears a red dress and rides a donkey around villages, infecting people with various types of smallpox, chickenpox, etc. Symbolically, she represents a force of nature that generates viruses that lead to diseases and healing powers, and She is also associated with the origin of the genus. She is depicted with four arms. In Her four hands she carries a silver broom, a winnowing machine, a small bowl and a jug of Ganga water (Gangajala) . Sometimes she is depicted with two hands, holding a broom and a jug. Also, the goddess Shitala symbolically indicates the need to observe cleanliness (Shaucha).

Shitala means cooling. According to the Puranas, she was created by Lord Brahma. Brahma promised her that she would be worshiped as a goddess on earth, but she must carry lentil seeds. In fairy tales in Northern India, lentils are "Urad dal." She asked to be given a companion, then she was sent to Lord Shiva, who blessed her and created Jvala Asura (fever demon). Shiva said he created a demon out of his sweat.

Shitala and Jvala Asura stayed in devaloka with other gods and goddesses. They used donkeys to transport lentils. But one day the lentil seeds turned into smallpox bacteria and the spread of this disease among the gods and goddesses began. Finally, tired of the goddess Shitala, the gods asked her to go and settle in a place where she would be worshiped. Shitala and Jvala Asura came down to earth and started looking for a place to live.

They went to the court of King Birat, who was ardently devoted to Shiva. He agreed to worship her and give her a place in his kingdom, but she would not be able to receive the respect given to Shiva. Angry, Shitala demanded superiority over all other gods for herself. King Birat did not agree to this demand, and then She began to spread various types of smallpox on Earth. In the end, the king was forced to agree to her wishes. Soon, the disease and all its consequences miraculously disappeared.

There are famous temples dedicated to Shitala Devi in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

A popular holiday dedicated to the Goddess – Shitala Ashtami Vrata.