ashtakam- sheetala Devi aka Maha mariamman !

[Guest guest]

REgarding Sheetala devi ....

 

Ravi Thotapalli asks ...

 

does any one know anything about goddess "sheetala" ?

 

well, sheetala devi is known as the "Goddess" of Smallpox and

devotees invoke her blessings for protection against this dreadful

disease....

 

as you may be aware, Smallpox has been eradicated all over the world.

but , not long ago, there were many epidemic outbreaks of this

disease in many parts of india. The victims of this disease had

permanent scars on their face and body and in some rare instances

lost their eyesight as well.

 

No wonder then that many devotees prayed to sheetala devi to protect

them from this disease.

 

In gurgaon near DELhi , there is a Sheetala devi temple , which is

considered a pilgrimage site.

 

i would encourage you to visit this url to learn about this temple

and the many legends associated with this devi!

 

http:// www.indiantravelportal.com/haryana/temples/sheetala-devi-

temple.html -

 

Sheetala Asthami, as the name itself indicates, is observed on the

eighth day of the bright half of Chaitra (March-April) in the honour

of goddess Sheetala. She is to be identified with Devi or Durga in

her role as goddess of smallpox. On this day, which is either on

Monday or Friday, the women folk visit the shrine of Sheetala in the

morning, after ablutions, and offerings of rice, home made sweets,

cooked food and holy water mixed with milk. At several places

colourful fairs are held on this occasion near the shrine of Sheetala

and there is a lot of merry making, songs, dance, feasting and brisk

buying and selling.

 

while in the northern part of india , she is known as Sheetala devi,

in southern part of india , she is known as MAha MARIAMMAN!

 

tHERE IS A FAMOUS TEMPLE of maha mariamman in thiruvaroor.

 

If you want to visualize sheetala devi in her sowmya rupam, this is

the image of devi you want to see! Here, mahamariamman devi is shown

with four hands with the sword and and damaru (udukkai as it is

known in Tamil) on the right hands and paasa - the rope of bondage -

and fire on the left hands. A five-hooded cobra canopies Her, Her

eyes dispelling Her grace all around.

 

to read more about this temple and the legend surrounding Maha

mariamman, please visit url

 

http://www.chennaionline.com/toursntravel/placesofworship/maha.asp -

 

our respected satish observes

 

There are other supreme and more pleasant forms of Devi to

contemplate upon.

 

in my humble opinion , devi is worshippable in all her forms - sowmya

rupam as well as ugra rupam !

 

In malayasia, this deity is very popular and there are many temples

where thhis deity is worshipped ....

 

 

Aum !