Unveiling the Sacred Bathing Rituals of Lord Jagannath: A Divine Purification

 Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is revered as the presiding deity of Puri, Odisha, India. The annual bathing rituals of Lord Jagannath, known as "Snana Yatra," hold immense significance and draw millions of devotees from across the world. This blog will take you on a spiritual journey, exploring the deep-rooted traditions, symbolism, and rituals associated with the sacred bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath.

The Significance of Snana Yatra:

Snana Yatra, also known as Deba Snana Purnima, marks the grandest bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

The ritual is believed to cleanse and purify the deities, signifying their readiness for the upcoming annual Rath Yatra festival.

Preparation and Rituals:

The rituals for Snana Yatra commence a fortnight before the main ceremony.

The deities' idols are brought out of the sanctum sanctorum and placed in a special bathing altar called the "Snana Mandap."

The idols are bathed with 108 pitchers of sacred water infused with herbs, flowers, sandalwood paste, and fragrant liquids.

The Sacred Bathing Ceremony:

Devotees gather in huge numbers to witness the divine spectacle as the deities are bathed.

Priests chant sacred mantras, while temple musicians and dancers perform traditional music and dance forms.

Devotees offer prayers, sing devotional songs, and immerse themselves in the divine atmosphere.

Symbolism and Beliefs:

The water used for the bathing ceremony is considered sacred and believed to possess healing properties.

Devotees believe that even a glimpse of the deities during Snana Yatra can wash away sins and bestow blessings.

The rituals symbolize the deities' connection with nature, emphasizing the cycle of life, purification, and rejuvenation.

Post-Bath Celebrations:

After the ceremonial bath, the deities are dressed in new attires known as "Hati Vesha" or "Gajanana Vesha."

Devotees flock to have a glimpse of the deities, seeking their blessings and participating in the celebrations.

Cultural Significance:

The Snana Yatra showcases the rich cultural heritage and devotion of the people of Odisha.

The festival is a harmonious blend of spirituality, art, music, dance, and devotion, reflecting the essence of the Odia culture.

Conclusion:

The Snana Yatra, with its elaborate rituals and sacred bathing ceremony, is a testament to the profound devotion and spiritual fervor surrounding Lord Jagannath. It is an occasion that unites millions of devotees, enabling them to connect with divinity and experience a sense of purity and spiritual rejuvenation. As you beleive into the mystique of Lord Jagannath's bathing rituals, may you be inspired by the devotion and significance of this ancient tradition.

How to celebrate Vat Savitri Puja?

 Vat Savitri  is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated by married women in various parts of India. There is some background information on the significance and history of the festival.

Significance of Vat Savitri Puja:

Elaborate on the significance of Vat Savitri Puja. Spacially this puja is observed to seek blessings for the well-being and longevity of husbands. Discuss the mythological story of Savitri and Satyavan and how it relates to the festival.

Rituals and Observances:

Describe the rituals and observances associated with Vat Savitri Puja. On Vat Savitri puja married women fast and worship the banyan tree (vat vriksha) while praying for their husbands' prosperity and longevity. On this puja various items used during the puja, such as vermilion, sacred thread, flowers, and fruits, new saree, and seasonal fruits.

Vat Savitri Puja Date and Time:

 Every year it is usually observed on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Jyeshtha month, which falls between May and June. This year on may 18th Vat Savitri puja held.

Vat Savitri Puja Celebrations:

 Vat Savitri Puja is celebrated in different parts of India. Some unique customs, traditions, or rituals followed in specific regions. On this special day women take bath early in morning and clean their house with gangajal. Wear some traditional clothes like saree, lehenga and salwar suit and prepare their prasad thali and go to the temple or nearest any Banyan tree where all women gather for puja.

Significance of the Banyan Tree:

On Vat Savitri puja all married women worship to the banyan tree, because this tree represents longevity, stability, and prosperity. Discuss the belief that tying a sacred thread around the banyan tree is auspicious for marital bliss and the well-being of husbands.

Vat Savitri Puja Recipes and Food:

On Vat Savitri puja only fruits, Sabudana Juice, lassi. But now a days people make various types of sweets dish and many other food items to eat, once you think when Goddess savitri is in jungle she only ate the jungle fruits not cooked food. For one day we keep fast for well- being of husbands.

Happy Vat Savitri puja.

Samba Dashami puja 2022 date in odisha- This puja dedicated to Lord Surya

 Samba Dashami is an unique puja which observed in the month of pausha as per odia calender. In 2022 this puja held in january 12. On this special day mothers do the puja with all rituals dedicate to Lord Surya for the good health and long life of their children.

Lord Surya

The story of Samba Dashami is related with Samba. the son of Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna Son Samba was once suffering with skin disease and he was cured after praying to Lord Surya. After 12 years of severe penance, Lord Surya  granted his wish and he cured from the deadly disease. Since then, Samba Dashami puja is observed in every odia family.

Lord Sun

After he got cured, Samba built Sun temples in Konark. On this day special dishes are prepared like Khichdi, Ghadghadia tarkari( a curry made of seasonal vegetables and dal), steamed manda pitha, Kakara pitha, Arisha pitha, Kheer and many types of sweets, first offered to Lord Surya and later shared to the children and family members. 

Scientifically, the sun is the source of energy and to honour the Sun, this festival is widely celebrated in different parts of Odisha.

A huge number of devotees visit the  Konark Temple to take a dip in the holy waters of Chandrbhaga and offer prayers to the Sun God.

Sodasha upachar puja and Shardiya Navratri puja starts in odisha today

 

Goddess Maa Durga

Every year when october month comes we welcome Goddess Durga to earth, and a special worships of Goddesses have begun in different shrines of Odisha. Accordingly, the special Sodasha Upachar puja of Goddess durga has begun, . During the coming 16 days of worship, Goddess Durga Maa will wear different attires. In every Sakti peetha the same rituals held.

 The Sodasa Upachar puja will continue for coming sixteen days while devotees will get darshan of the Goddess as She will be attired with different Beshas.

Goddess Cuttack Chandi or Goddess Maa Mangala will be adorned with these famous attires in the coming 16 days: Suna besha, Bhubaneswari besha, Ugratara besha, Raja Rajeshwari besha, Tripura Bhairabi besha, Matangi besha, Jaya Durga besha, Narayani besha, Harachandi besha, Sodashi besha, Bana Durga besha, Gayatri besha, Bagalamukhi besha, Mahakali besha, Mahalaxmi besha, Maha Saraswati besha and Mahisamardini besha.

To witness the special worship of Maa Durga, more numbers of devotees have started to visit the temple. The worship is going on amid execution of all the prescribed rituals. Devotees are seen paying obeisance to the Mother Goddess with lighting lamps amid fragrance of incense sticks and take the blessing of  Goddess. From Today Navratri Starts, devotees come to temple to offer prayers. 

In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the administration has declared devotees not to crowd the temple to stop spreading of the deadly virus.

Jai Maa Durga, Jai Maa Durga, Jai Maa Durga

Nag Panchami Puja Celebrated on 13th August 2021

 

Nag Panchami puja

Nag Panchami 2021 will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021. This festival is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi during the month of Sawan.

On this Nag Panchami day, women worship Nag Devta( King of Serpent) and offer milk to the snakes on this day. It is believed that any puja offered to snakes would reach to the serpent Gods. 

During Nag Panchami some of the Serpent Gods worshipped

1. Ananta

2. Vasuki

3. Shesha

4. Kaliya

5. Manasa

6. Astika

Happy Basant Panchami

 

Goddess Saraswati

Samba Dashami Puja 2021 puja held in odisha- puja dedicated to Lord Sun

 

Lord Surya

Samba Dashami puja held in every house in odisha. This puja always fall on Pausa month Sukla Pakhya 10th day. This puja specially dedicated to Lord Surya, Like Kumar Purnima to Lord Moon. This year Samba Dashami puja held on 23rd January 2021.

On this day every mother take the bath early morning and pray to Lord surya. In this time various types of vegetables available on the market, in this puja vegetables is most important. A special mix curry was made on that day. Special sweet dish like kheer, puri, Suji kakara , budha chakuli etc.

On that day where the puja held clean that place with cowdung water or Gangajal water. Then put the alpana design of Lord surya, then put small small banana leaf on the alpana design. Now you serve fruits , sweet dish what you have prepared and offer to Lord Surya.

Image Source: OdishaTv

On this day mothers observe special puja and rituals dedicated to Lord Surya for the good health and Long life of their children. Specially this story is related to Samba, the son of Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna Son once get pain in leprosy and he was cured after praying to Lord Surya. Samba get the pain for 12 years before he was cured.

That's way every mother do the puja for their children well wishes.

Kartik Purnima 2020

 

Paper Boat

Kartik Purnima festival is one of the most important religious festival held in November on the full moon day of Kartik month. People celebrates with prayers, and special devotees take a bath in ganga river. 

All over India this occasion is celebrated but in odisha in different way. In odisha the main attraction is Boita Bandana where people sail boats made of colorful papers and barks of banana tree.

This year Kartik Purnima festival held on 30th November. On this special day devotees go to nearest  Lord Jagannath temple to take the blessing of three deities. 

Happy Chhath Puja

 

List of 10 Shakti peetha in odisha

 Goddess Maa Durga is known as Mahadevi, she is the source of Shakti. The beginning and the end...The whole creation lives in her.

In any trouble first we remember to our mother, like this if we face any problem we call to Goddess durga with full faith she take all your problem and give you a peace. 

Now we go to our topic about Shakti peethas in odisha.

Maa Hingula in Talcher

Maa Bhatarika in Badamba

Maa Samaleswari in Sambalpur

Maa Mangala in Kakatpur

Maa Ramachandi in Konark

Maa Biraja in Jajpur

Maa Sarala in Jhankata

Maa Charchika in Banki

Maa Katakachandi in cuttack

Maa Vimala in Puri Temple

Jai Maa Durga

1. Maa Hingula

2. Maa Bhatarika

3. Maa Samaleswari

4. Maa Mangala

5. Maa Ramachandi

6. Maa Biraja

7. Maa Sarala

8. Maa Charchika

9. Maa Katakachandi

10. Maa Vimala

Goddess Durga or Mata Vaishno Devi images

 When the earth is full of demons, Goddess Durga(Goddess Vaishnavi) was created by Mata Maha Kali, Goddess Lakshmi and Mata Saraswati.  The three goddess decide and combine their energy to create one supreme power to destroy all demons. After destroying the demons Goddess Vaishno Devi was requested to leave on earth to protect from all evils in future. 

Now Durga puja will reach soon, so start preparation for to welcome mata vaishno devi.

Goddess Durga after Killing the Bhairon Nath for the wrong activity the Goddess chooses to stay in cave.

That's way Vaishno Devi Mandir temple is located in katra at the Trikuta Mountains ,Jammu and Kashmir.

We collect some Goddess Vaishno Devi images here for devotees.

Mahalaya Celebration in Samaleswari temple Sambalpur

 Every year when mahalaya comes thousands of devotees come to the temple of Maa Samalei, the presiding deity of sambalpur, to have a darhsan of Goddess Samalei in white costume(Dhawalamukhi), but this year without devotees this mahalaya festival puja celebrate.

Dhabalmukhi besa of Goddess  Samalei

Maa Samalei wears a red costume around the year except on this Mahalaya day she wears a white avatar and give the darsan to all devotees , due to corona virus Maa Samaleswari temple trust show Maa Samalei dhabala besha on digital way. Thank you everyone who give this beautiful idea and devotees pray to maa and take the blessings from maa samalei.   From previous night the sebayat and pujari of the temple prepare the costume of deity. From Mahalaya day Navratri puja starts. For Nine days Goddess Samalei get the nine avatars of Goddess Durga.  

White is most peaceful colour, and it is believed that having a dahrsan of dhawalamukhi is as holy as having the darsan of the Ganga mata.

Jai Maa Samalei.

Which God is worshipped on Akshaya Tritiya?

Akshaya Tritiya is an annual spring time festivals of the Hindus. Akshaya Tritiya is being celebrated across the country every year. The word Akshaya means"never diminishing" as the festival is associated with wealth, prosperity and happiness. It is also known as "Akha Teej". It is celebrated on the third day of Vaishakh month. This year it falls on 26th April 2020 Sunday.

On this day Devotees worship the deity Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi by keeping a fast whole day. After puja charity is done by distributing rice, salt, ghee, vegetables, fruits and clothes to the poor people.

Most peoples shop Gold, New Vehicle, New House, Investing in a child plan, New clothes, new container etc.

Due to Lock-down this year we can't buy gold any other products. But on this day we feed some foods to the poor people by keeping social distance.

World Famous Car Festival work starts from Akshaya Tritiya day. 

Odisha pana Sankaranti ,Jhamu Yatra 2020

Due to Corona Virus this year Jhamu yatra or Maha Vishuva Sankaranti didn't held in great grand way. Only rituals happen in the temple with some people by keeping social distance. In every Shakti peetha this festival is celebrated. This day is celebrated as the first day of the odia calender across the state. It marks the end of spring and beginning of summer.

Maa Mangala

Jhamu Yatra is most popular festival celebrated in odisha. On this occasion, devotees collect the scared water from river and offer pray to the deity to get her blessings. The devotees then walk on the burning wood charcoal filled in a long drain. It is believed that the goddess saves them from any mishap while walking on burning charcoal.

A special drink is prepared in every odia house is called pana, it is made of Bel fruit, yoghurt, chena, banana, sugar, bundi, coconut, dry fruits of your choice. This gives cold to your body.

Happy Odia New Year 2020.

Sheetala ashtami 2020: Today is Sheetla Ashtami, How to worship Sheetla Mata on Sheetla Ashtami?

Goddess Sheetla Mata

The festival of Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated on Chaitra Ashtami after Holi. Many people called it Holi Asthami or Astha Dola. Specially this festival is celebrated in Gujarat, rajasthan and uttar pradesh. Now a days this puja is done in every corner, mother worship this puja for her children. 

Goddess Sheetla is worshipped on this day. The fair is held on this day in Mata Sheetla temples across the country. This festival is known as Basoda. It is customary to offer stale food to Goddess Sheetla. On this day fresh food is not prepared in the house, women cook the food on the night before one day, with the same food, mata sheetla is worshipped. It is believed that mata Sheetla is the goddess of peace who protects the devotees from various types of diseases. 

On this day, before sunrise women gets up and take a bath and what the prasad they preapre before night they offer to mata Sheetla. After this, they listen the story of Goddess Sheetla mata vrat,come to the home and both the hands are vaccinated with turmeric on put the hands on both sides of the main entrance in their home. The water brought from the temples splashes all over the house. This keeps the blessings of Mother Sheetla and protects the house from diseases.

It is believed that Shitala Mata is worshipped to protect from diseases like chicken pox, Small pox, and many more. Stoves or chullah are not lit in homes throughout the day. It is believed that Mata Sheetla gets angry with devotees by burning stove in homes or eating hot food.

On this day you can prepare puree, Suji halwa, dahi, Aloo sabji, Kichdi, Kheer etc. Goddess Sheetla mata is an avatar of Goddess Parvati.

10 Names of Goddess Laxmi on Sudasha Brata

Odisha Main festival special for married women Sudasha Brata osha, which is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. On this day women keep fast the entire day and pray to Maa Laxmi for the well-being and prosperity of their family. This Osha special falls on Thursday Dashami tithi.

Goddess Laxmi

On this special day, Hindu odia women worship to goddess Laxmi with rituals and tie a sacred thread(brata) on their right arm after giving the thread a ritualistic bath with turmeric water. On this thread we have to put 10 knots by chanting different names of Goddess Laxmi, one name for each knot. On this day every women wears the white red cotton saree or silk saree because on Manabasha gurubar puja Shreya Chandaluni wears the white red saree. 

Now we discuss the 10 knots name of Maa Laxmi
First Knot(Prathama Ganthi)- Laxmi Narayani
Second Knot(dutiya Ganthi)-  Kamalini
Third Knot(Trutiya Ganthi)-  Srihari ra priyaa
Fourth Knot(Chaturtha Ganthi)-Padmalayaa
Fifth Knot(Panchama Ganthi)- Kamalaa
Sixth Knot(Sasthi Ganthi)-  Chanchalaa
Seventh Knot(Saptama Ganthi)- Bighnaseni
Eighth Knot(Astama Ganthi)- Sindura Dulani
Ninth Knot(Nabami Ganthi)- Durgati Nashini
Tenth Knot( Dasami Ganthi)- Vishnu Patarani

Sudasha Brata Osha Book available online or in local market of odisha. You can get the details of Puja vidhi on this book.

On March 5th Sudasha Brata is there. Happy Sudasha Brata to all odia friends.

Akshaya Tritiya 2019

Akshaya Tritiya comes only once in a year. It is also Known as Akha Teej. Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on the third lunar day of the bright fortnight. It is known as the most auspicious days in the Hindu Calender.

It is also known as the birth of Lord Parshuram the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It falls on Tuesday, May 7th.

Akshaya Tritiya is a very popular festival which celebrates every year. People believe that this day as a lucky day to start a new business, new building, new shop opening, on that day will give betterment and prosperity for a new starter.

On this day the most popular activity is the buying gold and it is believed it will be a sign of Good fortune for the buyer. Most wedding held on this day because Akshaya Tritiya is known as the Golden day of the year.

Some women's keep the fast whole day and they decorate himself with traditional saree and golden Jewellery.

In Odisha, it is the day when Hindus begin their annual construction of chariots for the Puri Rath Yatra( Car Festival) festival. 

Odisha Farmers wore new clothes and sowed paddy seeds after ploughing, called as " Muthi Ankula" on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and started agricultural work.

Farmer worshipped the Mother Earth for a good Harvest.

Chaitra Navratri Puja

Chaitra Navratri is the first Navaratri puja to come in a year. This puja is the beginning of the Indian New Year. According to the Ramayana, it is believed that Lord Rama worshipped to Goddess Durga in Chaitra Month and was conquered by killing Ravana.

This festival goes for Nine days and Nine avatars of Goddess Durga worshipped.

Shailputri

Goddess Shailputri

The first Avatar of Goddess Durga is Shailputri, it is the first Puja in the Nav Durga. The first Navaratri will be on April 6, 2019. The name "Shailaputri" literally means the daughter(Putri) of the mountain(Shaila). 

Brahamcharini

Maa Brahmacharini

The second Avatar of Goddess Durga is Brahmacharini. The second Navaratri Puja will be held on the date of 7th April 2019. Goddess Durga Wrapped in white clothes, hold Japa mala in her right hand and Kamandal a water utensil in her left hand.

Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandharghanta

The name of the third Avatar of Mata Durga is Chandharghanta, sitting in the form of power, wearing the moon on the head. Goddess Chandraghanta is worshiped on the third day of Navratri. Third Navaratri will be fall on the 3rd date, April 8, 2019.

Kushmanda

Goddess Kushmanda

The fourth form of Mother Durga is Kushmanda. The fourth Navaratri will be on the date of Chaturthi dated April 9, 2019. Mother Kushmanda is believed to improve health and bestow wealth and strength.

Skanda Mata

Goddess Skandmata

The fifth power of Durga is called Skandmata, due to being the mother of Kartikeya (Skanda), it is called Skandamata. Fifth Navaratri, Panchami date, April 10, 2019, will be on that day.

Kathyayini

Goddess Katyayani

The name of the sixth form of Durga is Katyayani Devi, due to her birth as a daughter of Maharishi Katyayana, she is said to be Katyayani, the sixth Navaratri will be on the date April 11, 2019. 

Kaalratri

Goddess Kalraatri

The goddess Durga is the seventh power of Kalraatri. It is horrible to see the nature of Mother Kalratri. Seventh Navaratri, Saptami Date, will remain on April 12, 2019.

Maha Gauri

Goddess Mahagauri

Eighth power of Mother Durga is Mahagauri. Their power is unfailing and quick to bear fruit. She is worshiped by devotees to attain loyalty in relationships and create life long bonds. The eighth Navaratri, the Ashtami date, will be held on 13th April 2019, day. 

Siddhidatri

Goddess Siddhiyatri

Goddess Durga is the ninth form of Siddhiyatri, 9th Navaratri, Navami Date, April 14, 2019. Devi Siddhidathi, who provided all siddhis, always protects the devotees.

Berhampur Budhi Thakurani Yatra festival begins.

After 2 years, the month-long famous Budhi Thakurani Yatra festival will be held in Berhampur, Odisha. It is one of the biggest festivals of Berhampur town in Odisha. She is the presiding deity of Silk city.

As per Tradition Desibehera P. Durgaprasad, traditional head of this festival, celebrations will start from March 29 and continue for 32 days. 

Maa Budhi Thakurani

Thakurani Jatra festival

The Month Long biennial (every two years) festival of Goddess Budhi Thakurani began here on Friday in the city of Berhampur (the silk city), Odisha. It also is known as Ghata Yatra. 

A sea of devotees come to Silk City to participate in the festival of the deity.


It marks worship of Goddess Buddhi Thakurani who is considered the protector of Behrampur. 


Goddess Buddhi Thakurani is a traditional deity of silk handloom weavers or Dera community of Berhampur. Deras weaver community worship the goddess Budhi Thakurani.

As per tradition and rituals, during the festival time, Durga Prasad Desibehera and his wife reached the main Temple to invite the Goddess to the temporary abode.

The yatra started late on Friday with all rituals. He bought a flower, considered as a mark of permission of the Goddess and placed it on Kalash(Ghatam) along with eight other ghatams at the temporary abode kicking of the yatra.

Idol of the goddess is taken out in procession to different streets to facilitate residents worship her at their own doorsteps. 


Everywhere devotional atmosphere, devotees are dressed up as mythological characters from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.


They move around the city on foot, bicycles, rickshaws, etc. Children below five years dress up as these characters.


Due to history, the first Thakurani Yatra celebrated in 1779 when the Dera(weavers) community of the city and their head Desibehera played a major role.

The Dera community is originally from Andhra Pradesh and king of Mahuri Kingdom Narendra Dev had got settled in Berhampur. The King was too much impressed by their weaving skills on Silk saree and later Berhampur became famous for its Silk saree and named the place as Silk City.

Today is Sheetala Ashtami Puja.

After the week of Holi, the date of Ashtami is celebrated as Sheetla Ashtami. According to this Ashtami, Basoda Puja is celebrated on Asthami of Krishna Paksha in Chaitra month (April-May). This special day is worshiped to Goddess Shitala Mata(One Avatar of Goddess Durga).

This festival is popularly celebrated in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.  They have the power to get rid of every disease. It is believed that worshiping Goddess Sheetla Mata, there is protection from all kinds of diseases such as measles, boil, chicken pox or eye disease etc. 

You will also find these descriptions in the Skanda Purana. On this day, people wake up in the early morning and take a bath with cold water, wear new saree and reach to worshiping the Goddess in Shitala Mata's temple. 

Devotees offer a cold meal, which is kept in the night before one night like puri, Jalebi, halwa, Curd, rabdi etc.

Many women come here to seek the blessings of the Goddess for their children.

Goddess Sheetla Mata

Story of Goddess Sheetla Mata

This is a Very old story. One day Goddess Sheetala Mata thinks who is worshipping me or respect me on earth. She thinks and reaches a place Rajasthan Dunguri village, She saw that people don't worship me and there is no temple.

She roams every corner of the village, at that time from a house someone throws the hot rice water. That hot water falls on Sheetla Mata and body burnt.

She runs everywhere for help but nobody comes to help her. At that time a potter women saw that old woman fully burnt and feeling sick. 

She calls and told to sit here, put the cold water on Goddess Sheetla Mata and told to eat the previous night dish rabdi and curd. The old women feel comfortable by eating these dishes.

She told to sit here and try to tie her hair but she shocked by seeing an eye on the back side. She frightened and run away, at that time the old women told don't be frightened I am not a ghost, I am Goddess Sheetla Mata. I come to land to know who worship me or not. Goddess Sheetla maa comes in her actual image.

The potter women thoughts I am very poor and there is no place to sit in my home. Goddess calls her and told what are you thinking, She cries and told there is no single chair to sit and every single person in this village is poor.

Goddess Shitala Devi rides on a donkey, and she has four arms. In her hands, she carries a silver broom, a fan, a small bowl, and a pot of water. She uses these items to rid a house of poor–she sweeps up the poor with her broom, uses the fan to collect them, and dumps them into the bowl. She then sprinkles water from the pot (which is water from the river Ganges) to purify the house. 

Shitala’s name means “the cooling one”. With the change of seasons and coming off the hot period, it is essential to emphasize the importance of hygiene for human health and the worship of Shitala Mata provides the motivation to keep the surroundings clean and hygienic.

She blessed her and told from now the main priest of this temple will be a potter. At that time the villagers made Goddess Sheetla Mata temple.