Sheetla Ashtami: Significance | Katha | Puja Vidhi and Date

Sheetla Ashtami also known as Bashoda is celebrated on Krishna Paksha Ashtami i.e. after eight days of Holi. It is popularly celebrated in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc. On this day people workshop goddess Sheetla. She as an avatar of Durga or Shakti saves us from various diseases like smallpox, measles, chickenpox, & other skin-related issues and heart-borne diseases. 

Sheetla Ashtami Significance:

 Sheetla Mata is worshipped to get good health. This fast is especially kept to protect devotees, especially small babies from diseases. According to Skanda Purana Lord Brahma has given Sheetla Mata the responsibility to take care of all people's health on earth. It is said that Mata Sheetla rides on the donkey and holds a broomstick, kalash of holy water, neem leaves, and a dustpan. Hence people worship and fast on Sheetla Ashtami for good health. People who have skin-related issues should also worship Sheetla Mata. It is said that Mata Sheetla is worshipped in the summer season.

Sheetla Ashtami Katha:

 One day Goddess Sheetla thought of visiting the earth to know who is devoted to her. Hence, she went to Rajasthan, Dungaree, in the form of an old lady and saw there is no temple or person devoted to her. When she was roaming in the village a lady threw boiled rice water down from the top of the house. That boiling water fell on Mata Sheetla resulting in blisters on the body. 

She was running everywhere for help but nobody was going to her instead people were laughing at her. A Potter woman was sitting outside her house. As soon as she saw the old lady burnt badly and not able to tolerate the pain she offered to pour cold water on the old lady. She also offered her curd and rabri, which she prepared last night. 

Later the potter woman offered to make her braid. The moment she opened the old lady's hair she saw an eye on her head and got scared. The old lady, impressed by her service, told her she is Sheetla Mata and ordered her to ask for a boon. The potter woman asked her to stay forever in the village in a temple. Mata agreed and disappeared. From this day people all over North India celebrate Sheetla Ashtami on Krishna Paksha. 

Sheetla Ashtami Puja Vidhi and Date:

 On the auspicious day of Sheetla Ashtami, people wake up early in the morning and take a bath in cold water. The puja room is also cleaned and food is not cooked, only cold food i.e. food cooked a day before is eaten. The food cooked a day earlier is offered to Mata Sheetla as Prashad. The food prepared a day before is called stale or basi food by North Indians. Also, the main foods offered to Mata Sheetla are Curd, Rabri, and Gur. The food left after offering prasad to Mata is taken by devotees for the entire day. After puja people listen to Sheetal Ashtami Vrat Katha and read Sheetalashtak.

Sheetala Ashtami in 2023 is on 15th March. And Sheetla Saptami is on 14th March. Hence prasad will be made on March 14.