Sheetala Ashtami
Sheetala
Ashtami is also known as ‘Basoda Puja’ and is a popular Hindu festival
dedicated to Goddess Sheetala. It is observed on the ‘ashtami’ (8th day) of the
Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of moon) during the Hindu month of
‘Chaitra’. It corresponds to the month of mid-March to April in the Gregorian
calendar. Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated after the colourful festival of Holi,
generally after eight days. But in some communities it is observed on the first
Thursday or Monday that comes after Holi. Also in some districts, Sheetala
Ashtami is observed on the ‘ashtami’ of the Krishna Paksha, every month, but of
all these, the Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami is considered most propitious.
The celebrations of Sheetala Ashtami are very renowned in the
north Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. In the Indian
state of Rajasthan, the Sheetala Ashtami festival is celebrated with great
passion. A huge fair is organized for this occasion and several musical events
and programmes are also staged. Devotees celebrate this festival with immense
fervour and devotion. It is believed that by keeping the vrat on this chosen
day, they will be prevented from several diseases.
Significance
of Sheetala Ashtami:
Sheetala Mata is known to be an important Goddess in Hindu
mythology. The Goddess is seated on a donkey and has been portrayed holding
neem leaves, broom, soup and a pot. Her magnificence has been explicitly
mentioned in several religious scriptures. In the Skanda Purana, the benefit of
worshipping Sheetala Ashtami has been explained in great details. The Sheetala
Mata Stotra written by Lord Shiva and also known as ‘Sheetalashtak’ can also be
found in the Skanda Purana.
This day is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Sheetala. According
to the Hindu scriptures, it is believed that Goddess Sheetala controls
chickenpox, measles, small pox and other similar diseases. By worshipping the
Goddess on this auspicious day people can prevent the outbreak of epidemic
diseases in their family, especially among children.
Rituals during Sheetala Ashtami:
- On the day of Sheetala Ashtami as
per the traditions, the families do not lit fire for the purpose of
cooking. They therefore prepare food a day in advance and consume the
stale food on the actual day. It is only in Sheetala Ashtami that there is
unique custom of offering stale food to Goddess Sheetala.
- Devotees get up early, before
sunrise and take a bath. They visit the Sheetala Devi temple and worship
the Goddess with ‘haldi’ and ‘bajra’. After performing the puja rituals
they listen to the ‘Basoda Vrat Katha’. ‘Rabri’, ‘curd’ and other
essential offerings are then made to Goddess Sheetala. People also take
blessings from their elders.
- After offering the prepared food
to the Goddess, rest of the food is eaten all day long as Prasad and is
known as ‘Basoda’ in local language. The food is also distributed among
other devotees and also given to the poor and needy people. On this day
reading ‘Sheetalashtak’ is also considered favourable.
2016 Date : 1st
April,Friday.
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