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Mata Sheetala: How the demon born from Shiva’s sweat became the reason for Mother Sheetala’s incarnation? know the story

Rahul Kumar | June 19, 2026 8:22 PM CST

Story of Mother Shitala

Mother Sheetala's story: In Hindu religion, Mother Sheetala is considered the goddess of cleanliness and health. It is believed that Mother Goddess, by incarnating on earth, had freed us from smallpox and other infectious diseases. Mother Sheetala is riding a donkey. He has a pot, soup, broom and neem leaves in his four hands. The festival of Shitala Ashtami has been dedicated to Mother Goddess. Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami date of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. On this day, Mother Sheetala is worshiped with all the rituals.

Cold and stale food prepared on the Saptami Tithi of Chaitra month is offered to the Mother Goddess. This is because stoves are not lit in homes on the day of Sheetala Ashtami. It is also called Basoda because of offering stale food to the mother, but do you know that the reason for the mother's incarnation is considered to be a demon born from the sweat of Lord Shiva. Let us know this interesting story of the incarnation of Mother Sheetala.

according to legend…

According to the legend, once Mahadev, the God of Gods, was in his fierce form, the entire universe started burning due to his anger and the heat of the third eye. Due to the same fire of anger, a drop of energy from his forehead fell on the ground, which was called the sweat of Lord Shiva. Because that drop falling on the ground was made only of anger and fierce heat, hence as soon as it fell on the earth, a ferocious demon named Jwarasur was born. Jwarasur was filled with all the diseases and fevers of the universe. Since Jwarasur was a part of Lord Shiva.

Because of this, even the big weapons of the gods were proving ineffective against him. Being proud of his demonic powers, he spread epidemics like smallpox and deadly fever all over the world. The earth started burning like fire. In every house, children started dying in agony due to this disease and severe heat. There was havoc all around. Then Goddess Parvati's heart trembled after hearing the screams of her devotees. Its goddess assumed the most beautiful and cooling form to extinguish the fire of this epidemic spread on the earth.

This form of Mother was called Shitala.

This form of Mother was called Sheetala. Mother descended on earth sitting on a donkey. In one hand he had a miraculous golden pot filled with cold water and in the other hand he had neem leaves. Mother did not pick up any weapon. He absorbed the wrath of Jwarasur's demonic fire and disease in a moment just with the cool water of his golden pot and neem leaves. After this, Jwarasur could not stand the coldness of the mother and sought forgiveness and went to take refuge in her forever.

Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.

Varun Kumar

Varun Kumar has been a part of the journalism world for the last five years. In the year 2021, he completed his studies in Mass Communication from Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication. After this, he started journalism with Prabhasakshi News website and then became a part of ABP News. Now working with the Dharma team of TV9 Digital.