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Sheetala Ashtami or Sheetalasthami is a Hindu festival in honor of the goddess Shitala or Sheetala, celebrated on the eighth day (ashtami) after the festival of colors, Holi.
| Sheetala Ashtami | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Celebrations | Worshipping |
| Date | Chaitra māsa Ashtami tithi |
| Frequency | Annual |
Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha (the waning moon) in the Hindu month of Chaitra,[1][2] and thus falls eight days after Holi.[3]
The festival falls at the start of the summer season; Shitala is worshipped to ward off heat-borne diseases, such as smallpox, and also to bring prosperity.[1][2] Observances of the day involve offering to the goddess and consuming only food prepared one or two days before.[1][2][3] For this reason, Sheetala Ashtami is referred to in some parts of India as Basora or Basoda, meaning "previous night".[2] Khadi, panchkuta, khichiya,[2] and sweetened rice[3] are foods traditionally offered and consumed. After this day, stale food is not to be eaten.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c प्रज्ञा बाजपेयी (26 March 2019). "जानें- क्या है शीतला अष्टमी का महत्व, ऐसे करें शीतला माता की पूजा". Aaj Tak (in Hindi). Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Sheetala Ashtami: The Puja That Drives Heat Borne Diseases". Times of India. 21 April 2019 [23 December 2016].
- ^ a b c d रेणु चौहान (27 March 2019). "Sheetala Ashtami 2019: शीतला अष्टमी का शुभ मुहूर्त, प्रसाद, पूजा-विधि और कथा". NDTV Khabar (in Hindi). Retrieved 25 February 2020.