Why is cold food eaten on Shitla Satam?

Because no fire is lit at all that day. The goddess Shitala is associated with cooling and with protection from fever, and keeping the hearth cold is the observance. Everything is cooked the day before on Randhan Chhath and eaten cold. A cold bath before dawn is part of it too.

Sheetala Saptami

the cold seventh

2026

10 March 2026

Tuesday · Krishna Saptami

Tithi begins11:27 PM · 9 Mar

Tithi ends01:55 AM · 11 Mar

Full panchang for this day

About

Worship of Goddess Sheetala on Krishna Saptami; cold food prepared the day before is offered.

Falls on: Shravan Vad Satam

What it is

Worship of Shitala Mata, the goddess associated with fevers, pox and cooling. No fire is lit and no fresh food cooked. The previous day's cold food is eaten, which is where the name comes from. Women bathe in cold water before dawn and offer the cold food at the shrine.

Food

Yesterday's cooking, eaten cold. Nothing warm, nothing fresh.

Common questions

Why is cold food eaten on Shitla Satam?: Because no fire is lit at all that day. The goddess Shitala is associated with cooling and with protection from fever, and keeping the hearth cold is the observance. Everything is cooked the day before on Randhan Chhath and eaten cold. A cold bath before dawn is part of it too.

Sheetala Saptami date in 2025 Sheetala Saptami date in 2027