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In Hindu religion, worship of Sheetala Mata is considered to have special significance. Mother Shitala is worshiped as the goddess who protects from diseases. Devotees worship Mata Sheetala especially for protection from skin related diseases. For this reason, the festival of Sheetala Ashtami is considered important from the religious as well as health point of view.
When is Shitala Saptami and Ashtami?
According to the Vedic calendar, Saptami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month will start from 11:27 pm on March 9 and will continue till 1:54 pm on March 11. According to Udaya Tithi, Sheetala Saptami will be celebrated on 10th March.
The auspicious time of puja on this day will be from 6.24 am to 6.26 pm. Basoda or Sheetala Ashtami will be celebrated on 11th March.
Why is food prepared a day before eaten?
The special tradition of Sheetala Ashtami is that fresh food is not prepared in homes on this day. Women observing fast prepare food on Saptami day itself. The next day the same food is consumed as Prasad of the Mother Goddess. This tradition is called Basoda.
Fast is observed to protect children
According to Ujjain’s astrologer Pt. Anand Bhardwaj, this fast is especially observed for the health of children and to protect them from diseases. Women take bath a day before and prepare bhog for the Mother Goddess, which includes dishes like curry-rice, puri, pakoda and bara.
Crowds of devotees gather in temples
On the day of Shitala Ashtami, crowd of devotees is seen in the Devi temples of the city since morning. Devotees worship Mother Shitala and pray for the happiness, health and prosperity of the family.