Sheetala Mata Aarti (जय शीतला माता)
Sheetala Ashtami (Chaitra Krishna Ashtami), Basoda (day after Holi), Sunday mornings in Sheetala temples
About this Aarti
Sheetala Mata Aarti venerates the goddess of health and healing, particularly from pox and fever, worshipped on Sheetala Ashtami and Basoda across North India.
Sheetala Ashtami (Chaitra Krishna Ashtami), Basoda (day after Holi), Sunday mornings in Sheetala temples
Significance & Importance
Sheetala Mata — the 'Cooling Mother' — is venerated across North India and Rajasthan as a guardian of well-being, and 'Jai Sheetala Mata' is the devotional voice of her ancient worship. Her name śītalā (cool, soothing) captures the care she traditionally represents.
Her iconography speaks a rich language: she rides a donkey and carries a broom, winnowing fan, pot of cool water, and neem leaves — symbols of cleanliness and the medicinal wisdom of traditional community care. Devotees pray to her for protection and well-being, especially for young children, expressing a mother's deepest wish to see her family safe.
The central festival is Sheetala Ashtami (Basoda), observed on the eighth dark day of Chaitra. On this day, cooking fires are kept cold: food prepared the previous day is offered as 'cold prasad,' honouring her cooling nature and symbolizing restraint and care. Sunday mornings at Sheetala temples carry a traditional aarti gathering.
The goddess is understood as the presiding power over fevers and eruptive conditions — a cultural expression of the community's collective prayer for healing. Her aarti is both a spiritual act and a celebration of the conviction that the earth's cooling gifts — water, neem, fresh air — are themselves divine.
English Transliteration
Jai Sheetala Mata, Maiya Jai Sheetala Mata.
Rog Dosh Se Raksha Kar, Swasth Sukhad Daata.
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Gadhe Par Aasan Maa Ka, Kalash Haath Mein Jhadu.
Sheetal Jal Se Seechan, Rog Karo Mujhe Radu.
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Basode Ke Din Tumhari, Vishesh Puja Hoti.
Thanda Bhog Chadhaakar, Bhakt Rogmukt Hoti.
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Mata Ki Mahima Nyari, Chechak-Khasra Door.
Tumhare Darshan Se Hi, Jata Sab Dard Door.
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Uttar Bharat Mein Pujit, Rajasthan Gujarat.
Sheetala Ashtami Ke Din, Hota Vishesh Jazbaat.
Jai Sheetala Mata.Verse-by-Verse Meaning
Tap “Show meaning” under any line to read its bhāvārth.
Jai Sheetala Mata, Maiya Jai Sheetala Mata. Rog Dosh Se Raksha Kar, Swasth Sukhad Daata. Jai Sheetala Mata.
Show meaningHide meaning
Victory to you, O Sheetala Mata; victory to you, O Mother. Protect us from diseases and afflictions — you are the bestower of health and the giver of well-being and joy. (This is the refrain, repeated after every verse.)
Gadhe Par Aasan Maa Ka, Kalash Haath Mein Jhadu. Sheetal Jal Se Seechan, Rog Karo Mujhe Radu.
Show meaningHide meaning
The Mother's seat (mount) is the donkey, and in her hands she holds a sacred water-pot (kalash) and a broom (this is Sheetala Mata's traditional iconographic form). With cooling water she sprinkles and soothes disease — O Mother, drive away my illness and make me free of disease.
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Show meaningHide meaning
(refrain, repeated)
Basode Ke Din Tumhari, Vishesh Puja Hoti. Thanda Bhog Chadhaakar, Bhakt Rogmukt Hoti.
Show meaningHide meaning
On the day of Basoda (Sheetala Ashtami, when stale and cold food is offered) your special worship is performed. By offering cold prasad, devotees become free of disease (cured by your grace).
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Show meaningHide meaning
(refrain, repeated)
Mata Ki Mahima Nyari, Chechak-Khasra Door. Tumhare Darshan Se Hi, Jata Sab Dard Door.
Show meaningHide meaning
The Mother's glory is unique; by your grace ailments like smallpox and measles are removed. Merely by your darshan (sacred sight) all suffering is taken away.
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Show meaningHide meaning
(refrain, repeated)
Uttar Bharat Mein Pujit, Rajasthan Gujarat. Sheetala Ashtami Ke Din, Hota Vishesh Jazbaat.
Show meaningHide meaning
You are worshipped with devotion across North India, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat. On the day of Sheetala Ashtami a special fervour and devotional feeling wells up in the hearts of devotees. (This fifth stanza is present in the Hindi lyrics but omitted from the romanized lyricsEn; transliterated and translated here for completeness.)
Jai Sheetala Mata.
Show meaningHide meaning
(refrain, repeated)
More aartis you may love
Find an aarti by occasion
Frequently Asked Questions
When should the Sheetala Mata Aarti be recited?
Sheetala Ashtami (Chaitra Krishna Ashtami), Basoda (day after Holi), Sunday mornings in Sheetala temples
What are the benefits of reciting the Sheetala Mata Aarti?
Reciting the Sheetala Mata Aarti with devotion is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Sheetala Mata, steady the mind, dispel negativity, and create an auspicious, sattvic atmosphere at home. It is offered as an act of bhakti (loving devotion) rather than for any guaranteed material result.
Where can I read the complete Sheetala Mata Aarti lyrics?
VedKosh provides the complete Sheetala Mata Aarti lyrics dedicated to Sheetala Mata (शीतला माता) in both Hindi and English (with transliteration for regional readers), along with its meaning and a printable/downloadable version.