Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month. It is also called Basoda Ashtami. Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of Holi. This year Sheetala Ashtami will be celebrated on Friday, March 25, 2022. On this day Mata Sheetala is worshiped with rituals and her fast is observed.
Fasting and worship is done in most of the houses in North India on
Sheetala Ashtami and Saptami Tithi.
Significance of Sheetala Ashtami Puja:
Sheetala Ashtami has special significance in Sanatan Dharma. The form of Sheetala Mata is considered to give coolness. Mata Sheetala is worshiped and fasted on the day of Sheetala Ashtami. It is believed that worshiping Mata Sheetala on this day fulfills all the wishes of the devotees. Along with this, you get freedom from many types of diseases.
It is said that being pleased with the devotion of the devotees, Mata Sheetala gives the boon of health. It is believed that because of liking cold things, cold things are offered to the mata at the time of worship.
Sheetala Ashtami Puja Muhurat:
Sheetla Ashtami is celebrated on Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi.
Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami starts - from 12:09 pm,
Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami ends - till 10:04 pm.
What to offer to mata as prasad?
On this day, especially sweet rice is offered to Mata Sheetla at the time of worship. These rice are made from jaggery or sugarcane juice. On the other hand, rice and ghee are offered to the mother in some places, while in some places, pudding and puri are offered. On this day food is not cooked in the houses. Let us tell you that on this day stale food is offered to the mata, which is prepared cleanly a day before Saptami.This bhog offered to the Devi is made on the night of Saptami. This prasad is fed to all the members of the house. It is said that the stove should not be lit on the day of Sheetala Ashtami.
How to do Sheetala Ashtami Puja:
● In the evening on the day of Saptami, the prasad of the mata is prepared by cleaning the kitchen.
● On the day of Sheetala Ashtami, wake up in the morning and wear clean bathing clothes.
● Offer roli, flowers, clothes, incense, lamp, dakshina and basa bhog to the mother.
● Curd, rabri, rice etc. are also offered to Sheetala Mata.
● Recite Sheetala Stotra at the time of worship.
● Perform aarti after worship.
● After worshiping, break the fast by eating mother's prasad.
● On this day fresh food is not prepared in homes. Fresh food is prepared the very next morning.