Sheetala Ashtami is also known as ‘Basoda Puja.’ It is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Sheetala which is observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha, the dark fortnight of the moon during the month of ‘Chaitra.’ Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated after the eight days of the festival of Holi. In some communities, it is observed on the first Thursday or Monday that falls after Holi. Also in some regions, Sheetala Ashtami is observed on the ‘ashtami’ of the Krishna Paksha in every month. Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami is considered most auspicious.

Sheetala Mata is known to cure ailments such as chicken-pox and small pox and measles. The Goddess seated on a donkey is seen holding neem leaves, broom, soup and a pot. Her magnificence has been mentioned in several religious scriptures. In the Skanda Purana, the benefit of worshipping Goddess Sheetala has been explained in details including Sheetala Mata Stotra or Sheetalashtak which was written by Lord Shiva. The day is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Sheetala. By worshipping the Goddess, devotees can prevent the outbreak of epidemic diseases, especially among children.

According to Basoda customs families don’t lit fire for cooking. Hence most families cook one day before and consume stale food on Sheetala Ashtami day. It is believed that Goddess Sheetala controls smallpox, chickenpox, measles, etc. and people worship her to ward off any outbreak of those diseases.

In Gujarat, the similar ritual as Basoda is observed just a day before Krishna Janmashtami and is known as Shitala Satam. Shitala Satam is also dedicated to Goddess Sheetala and no fresh food is cooked on the day of Sheetala Satam.

Mother Sheetala is considered the goddess who can cure heat borne diseases including measles, chicken pox and small pox. Therefore, this vrat is observed with great involvement so that people are saved from these dreaded diseases during the outbreak of summer months.

Mother Sheetala is one of the manifestations of Mother Parvati in the name Katyayani, the daughter of Rishi Katyayan. In this form, the goddess ventured into destroying the demonic forces and save the worlds. In course of her voyage, she came across a demon called Jwarasur, the demon of fever who was spreading several heat borne diseases like chicken pox, small pox, fevers, and measles.

Goddess assumed the form of Sheetala devi to destroy this demon. She was mounted on a donkey and carried in her four arms a silver broom, a winnowing fan, a bowl and a pitcher of Ganges water. She gave rise to a dwarf Bhatuk who in turn assumed the ferocious form of Bhairav and vanquished the demon. Sheetala devi cured the diseases of all the people with her benevolence.

Legend

A king named Indralumna was ruling Hasthinapur. His daughter Shubhakari was married to prince Gunvan. Once, the king invited them to observe Sheetal Ashtami. The couple left for a lake and performed the vrat with devotion. Pleased with their dedication, Goddess Sheetala appeared before them and granted a boon to Shuhbakari. On their way back, Shubhakari saw a family of priest grieving over the death of the priest due to snakebite. Shubhakari used the boon to revive the priest from death. Locals realised the power of the Sheetal Ashtami vrat, and they too observe the vrat with great faith.

Rituals and Celebrations

On the day of Sheetala Ashtami, Devotees take a bath before sunrise on a lake or river and install an image of Goddess Sheetala. They decorate the idol with Sandalwood paste, Turmeric, Vermilion and also offer fruits as well as sixteen types of offerings. At the end of the puja, rice mixed with ghee is offered as Prasad which is cooked the previous day. After the puja, the rice is eaten by all the family members. On Sheetala Ashtami, the families do not lit the fire for cooking. They prepare food a day in advance and consume the food on Ashtami day. Devotees visit Sheetala Devi Temple and worship the Goddess with Turmeric and ‘Bajra.’ After performing the puja, they read or listen to the ‘Basoda Vrat Katha.’ ‘Rabri,’ ‘curd’ and other essential offerings are made to Goddess. Remaining food is eaten as Prasad and is known as ‘Basoda’ in the local language. The food is also distributed among the devotees. On this day reading ‘Sheetalashtak’ is also considered favorable.

The celebrations of Sheetala Ashtami are very popular in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. In Rajasthan, Sheetala Ashtami festival is celebrated with great devotion. A huge fair is organised, and several musical events and programs are also staged on this day. Devotees celebrate Sheetala Ashtami with immense fervour and devotion.