The Rituals and Significance Of Sheetla Ashtami 2024

Do you know how people used to treat deadly ailments and diseases in earlier times? It’s Sheetla Mata who always saved the people on Earth to fight deadly illnesses. So, Sheetla Ashtami is especially dedicated to Sheetla Mata, which is also known as Basoda Puja. On this day, people bow down to Sheetla Mata, offering prayers for good health and overall well-being.

So, let’s understand each and every detail about the Basoda 2024 date, the rituals, its significance and the story behind its celebration.

Sheetala Ashtami 2024 Date and Time

Sheetala Ashtamidate: 2nd April 2024 (Tuesday)
Sheetala Ashtami Puja Muhurat: 06:10AM to 06:40PM
Ashtami Tithi Begins from: 09:09 PM on Apr 01, 2024
Ashtami Tithi Ends on: 08:08 PM on Apr 02, 2024

What is Sheetla Ashtami or Basoda Puja?

The Sheetla Asthmi is the most auspicious and significant festival in the Hindu culture. Like every other dieties in Hindu mythology has a certain power. Likewise, Sheetla Mata also has the most significant power to cure diseases. The Sheetla Ashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra Month, which is March or April. However, in some parts of the country, Sheetla Ashtami is also celebrated on the first Monday or Friday after the celebration of Holi.

Moreover, Shitla astami is also known as the Basoda Puja, which is dedicated to Sheetla Mata, who is the incarnation of Goddess Durga. This auspicious festival is also known as Basoda, meaning Basi or stale foods. However, on the day of Sheetla Ashtami, people refrain from eating or cooking fresh foods. So, now let’s understand the significance and the story behind the celebration of Sheetala Ashtami.

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The Significance and Story behind the celebration of Sheetla Ashtami

The celebration of Sheetala Ashtami dates back to the mythological story which reminds the devotees about the healing power of Sheetala Mata. She is referred to as Sheetala, which means to relieve or calm down. In earlier times, Sheetala Mata was remembered for healing deadly diseases or infections that could be life-threatening. So, here’s an interesting story that will help you clearly understand the significance of Sheetla Ashtami.

1. The Power of Shattila Mata

Once lived an old lady with her two daughters-in-law who recently had their babies. The old lady was a true devotee of Sheetla Mata, so she decided to celebrate Sheetla Ashtami with her two daughters-in-law. She asked them to prepare the food beforehand, not to light a fire, and to prepare fresh food on the day of Sheetla Ashtami. However, they agreed with the instructions, but their concerns for their children that they might fall sick from eating stale food made them cook fresh food without letting the old lady know about it.

However, later, when they went to feed their children, they found the dead body of their children lying down. After the daughters-in-law confessed the truth to the old lady, she became enraged and banished them from the village. She made it clear that they were not welcome back unless they were able to bring the dead children back to life. As a result, they set out to seek forgiveness from Sheetla Mata.

2. Meet with the two sisters “Ori and Sheetla”

On their way, they encountered two sisters named Ori and Sheetla struggling to take lice out of their heads. The two daughters in laws helped the ladies to take out the lice and made them feel relieved. The ladies were delighted, and in return, they blessed them, saying, “May your bellies find peace”. However, in between the conversations, they explained the incident, and the two sisters also got enraged.

Meanwhile, the daughters-in-law recognised Shattila Mata and bowed down before her to ask for forgiveness. On seeing their commitment and realisation of their mistake, Shattila Mata brought their children back to life, and the two ladies went back to their village happily and performed the rituals of Shattila Ashtami.

How to perform Sheetla Ashtami?

Here are the proper instructions for performing the Sheetla Ashtami rituals and puja vidhi. We will also mention the bhogs to be prepared that can be offered to Maa Sheetla Devi.

1. Rituals and Puja Vidhi

Wake up early in the morning, before sunset and take a bath with holy water. You can mix a gangajaal in the water to purify yourself.
You can visit the Sheetla Devi temple or place an idol of Sheetla mata at your home. You must light a diya and incense stick and bow down before her idol.
As an offering, you must offer food items that should be prepared the night before the Sheetla Ashtami.
You must avoid lighting gas stoves and cook fresh foods on the day of Sheetla Ashtami.
For Sheetala Ashtami food and bhog to Sheetla Devi, you must offer her Curd and Rabri.
After the offerings and rituals are done, all the family members should sit together and chant the Basoda Puja vrat katha, Sheetla mata mantra and bhajans.
Make sure you water a neem tree on this day, which is considered extremely auspicious.

2. Benefits of performing Sheetala Mata Puja

To know the benefits of performing rituals on Basoda puja or sheetla Ashtami, read below for details.

Sweep away all the negativity and poverty from your home.
It helps you to heal all the deadly diseases.
It makes you wealthy and fills your home with happiness and prosperity.
It gives you the ability to fight enemies and
Treats illnesses like smallpox, sores and pustules
Removes the fear of ghosts and evil energies

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Conclusion

So, if you found the story and significance of Sheetala Ashtami interesting, remember to follow the given instructions to perform the puja vidhi as the sheetla mata puja 2024 date is approaching. Also, it is an auspicious day to offer prayers to please Sheetla Mata with your devotion.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Sheetla or Basoda Puja?

Sheetla Puja is an auspicious Hindu festival dedicated to Sheetla Mata, which is celebrated on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra Month. It is mainly celebrated in the areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

2. Who is Sheetla Mata?

Sheetla Mata is a hindu goddess who is the incarnation of Maa Durga. She was sent to Earth as an avatar of Sheetla Mata to save her devotees from deadly diseases.

3. Why do people worship Sheetla Mata?

Sheetla Mata is seen carrying a pot and a broom, which is believed to sweep away suffering from people’s lives. She also wears a necklace made of neem leaves that is used to treat her devotees and heal them from ailments.

4. What do the objects carried by Sheetla Mata symbolise?

Sheetla mata has a powerful appearance when she sits on a donkey, which signifies humanity. She is seen carrying a pot filled with cold water and neem leaves, which signifies healing, and a broom, which signifies purity and cleanliness.

5. What are the powers of Sheetla Mata?

Sheetla Mata is a compassionate and kind-hearted goddess who cannot see her devotees suffering from unnecessary diseases. She holds the power to control diseases like fever, smallpox, chickenpox and measles.

6. Why do people eat stale food on Sheetla Ashtami?

People refrain from cooking or eating fresh food on Sheetla Ashtami. It is believed that Sheetla Mata is the goddess of diseases, and offering stale food to her is a way of showing respect and seeking her blessings for good health and well-being.

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