Shashthi

Shashthi, also written Sashti or Sasti, is a Hindu goddess associated with children, childbirth, and the welfare of infants. The name Shashthi derives from the Sanskrit for the sixth, reflecting the traditional observance on the sixth day of the lunar fortnight, known as the Shashthi tithi, in some communities. She is regarded as a benevolent mother goddess who protects mothers and babies and aids in safe delivery and healthy childhood.

Rituals and worship vary by region but share the aim of safeguarding child health. In many households, Shashthi Puja is observed around the time of a child’s birth or on the sixth lunar day. Practices commonly include fasting, prayers, and offerings such as milk, yogurt, rice, fruits, flowers, and sweets. In Bengal and parts of eastern India, Sashti Puja is a well-established domestic rite, performed at home or in temples, to seek protection and well-being for young children; regional prayers or songs may accompany the rite.

Iconography and interpretation also vary. Shashthi is typically depicted as a gentle mother figure, sometimes with children, reflecting her role as a nurturing caregiver. In devotional literature, she is treated as a form of Shakti, the divine feminine energy that sustains life. The worship of Shashthi emphasizes maternal care and the health and safety of children, with regional traditions shaping the specific rites, stories, and dates for observance.