Shitala Mata Aarti
शीतला माता आरती
Aarti of Shitala Mata — the "cool one" who governs pox and fevers. Sung on Shitala Ashtami (Basoda festival) when only food cooked the previous night is offered, and during every childhood pox outbreak. Modern Hindu families recite before vaccinations, viewing the vaccine as her prasada.
Lyrics (Devanagari)
जय शीतला माता, मैया जय शीतला माता।
आदि ज्योति महारानी, सब फल की दाता॥
रतन सिंहासन शोभित, श्वेत छत्र भाता।
ऋद्धि सिद्धि चँवर डुलावे, स्वर मंगल गाता॥
विष्णु सेवत ठाढ़े, सेवें शिव धाता।
वेद बानि यश गावत, बहु विधि गुण ज्ञाता॥
इन्द्र मृदङ्ग बजावत, चन्द्र वीणा हाथा।
सूरज ताल बजावे, नारद मुनि गाता॥
घण्टा शङ्ख शहनाई, बाजै मन भाता।
करै भक्त जन आरती, लखि लखि हरषाता॥
गर्दभ वाहन शोभित, हाथ झाडू सोहे।
सूप कलश नीम पाते, शीतल जग को होवे॥
English Transliteration
Jai Shitala Mata, maiya jai Shitala Mata
Aadi jyoti maharaani, sab phal ki daata
Ratan sinhaasan shobhit, shvet chhatra bhaata
Riddhi siddhi chanwar dulaave, swar mangal gaata
Vishnu sevat thaadhe, seven Shiv dhaata
Ved baani yash gaavat, bahu vidhi gun gyaata
Indra mridang bajaavat, Chandra veena haatha
Sooraj taal bajaave, Naarad muni gaata
Ghanta shankh shahnaai, baajai man bhaata
Karai bhakt jan aarati, lakhi lakhi harshaata
Gardabh vaahan shobhit, haath jhaadu sohe
Soop kalash neem paate, sheetal jag ko hove
Meaning
Victory to Mother Shitala, the primordial light, the queen of all, bestower of every fruit. Seated upon a jewelled throne, graced by a white parasol. Riddhi and Siddhi wave whisks, singing auspicious notes. Vishnu stands serving you, Shiva and Brahma serve you, the Vedas sing your glory, knower of qualities in countless ways. Indra plays the mridanga, Chandra the veena; Surya beats the rhythm, Narada the sage sings. Bells, conches, and shehnais resound, delighting the heart. Devotees perform your aarti; seeing it, you are filled with joy. Riding the donkey, broom in hand, with winnowing fan, water-pot, and neem leaves — you bring cooling to the whole world.
Book a related puja
Pujas where this aarti is traditionally sung.