Sheetala Ashtami 2024: The Story And The Significance of This Day
According to the Hindu Calendar, the Sheetala Ashtami falls on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the Chaitra month which is also the first month of the Hindu calendar. The day is one of the most important holy days for devotees as it allows them to worship Goddess Sheetala for the health and prosperity of their loved ones.
The day is mostly celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat and is also called the Basoda puja. The day comes after Holi and is one of the most propitious days in the Hindu religion. However, before we move forward, we need to find out the exact time and date on which the Sheetala Ashtami occurs in the year 2024. Let’s find out:
Sheetala Ashtami 2024: Date, Time and Puja Muhurat
| Event | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Sheetala Ashtami 2024 | Tuesday, April 2, 2024 |
| Sheetala Ashtami Puja Muhurat | 06:19 AM to 06:32 PM |
| Duration | 12 Hours 13 Mins |
| Sheetala Saptami | Monday, April 1, 2024 |
| Ashtami Tithi begins | 09:09 PM on Apr 01, 2024 |
| Ashtami Tithi Ends | 08:08 PM on Apr 02, 2024 |
Significance of the Sheetala Ashtami
The Sheetala Ashtami is a very important day for Hindus all over the world. In many parts of the country, it is believed that worshipping Goddess Sheetala on this day shall cure anyone of diseases like smallpox, chickenpox, et cetera and rid them of any other suffering.
It is also believed that the broom in the hands of Goddess Sheetala keeps poverty at bay and promotes the growth of wealth in the house. The ritual of worshipping Goddess Sheetala is known as Basoda puja, which is usually celebrated eight days after Holi, while some people celebrate it on the Monday or Friday after Holi.
According to the rules of the Basoda Puja, no fire is lit on the day to cook food and everyone who eats food shall eat stale food from the day before. Several devotees all over the world follow this ritual and worship Goddess Sheetala on this day for the well-being of themselves and their families. So, let us now find out the right methods to follow on the day of the Basoda Puja.
Sheetala Ashtami Puja Vidhi and Vrat Vidhi
On the day of the Basoda Puja, there are a few procedures one must follow to successfully impress Goddess Sheetala with your devotion and to acquire her blessings. Therefore, we have brought to you a list of things to do on the day of the Sheetala Ashtami, to successfully complete the Basoda Puja.
- One must wake up early in the morning, preferably during the Brahmamuhutatha i.e. between 3:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- After concluding their morning chores, one must bathe in water mixed with Gangajal before the sun rises. If not possible, make sure you bathe with clean water.
- After bathing in pure water, wear clean orange clothes.
- Now, prepare the utilities required for the Basoda puja.
- Decorate two plates to offer to the Goddess Sheetala.
- Place the following items on the first plate: Curd, Roti, Namak Pare, Pua, Mathri, Millet, and Sweet Stale Rice prepared on the previous day.
- Place the following items on the second plate: A lamp made of flour, Kumkum, clean, virginal clothes, a coin, Mehndi, and an urn full of cold water.
- Complete the Aarti and offer the Prasada in the plates without lighting the lamp.
- Also, offer water to the neem tree.
Appease the diety you have faith in by performing Personalized Live Puja.
The Sheetala Ashtami Story
How It All Started?
Long ago, on the day of the Sheetala Ashtami, an old woman and her two daughters-in-law decided to worship Goddess Sheetala and prepared food on the day of the Saptami to consume on the next day. Both the daughters-in-law had recently had sons, which is why they were worried about getting sick from the stale food and then passing on the sickness to the children. Hence, they decided to worship Goddess Sheetala with the old woman but to later eat warm, fresh food instead of the stale food as per the tradition.
They secretly prepared fresh food for themselves and pretended to eat the stale food for the old woman. After a while, the women went to wake their sons up with the plan to feed them, but when they reached their sons’ cribs they found them dead because of Goddess Sheetala’s rage. When the old woman was told the whole story, she was furious and banished her daughters-in-law from the village and asked them to be back only when they are able to bring the young boys to life.
Searching For Goddess Sheetala Starts
They secretly prepared fresh food for themselves and pretended to eat the stale food for the old woman. After a while, the women went to wake their sons up with the plan to feed them, but when they reached their sons’ cribs they found them dead because of Goddess Sheetala’s rage. When the old woman was told the whole story, she was furious and banished her daughters-in-law from the village and asked them to be back only when they are able to bring the young boys to life.
Finally They Found Goddess Sheetala
The depressed women roamed around the lands in search of Goddess Sheetala in order to ask for her forgiveness and the lives of their children. On their way, they came across two sisters, named Ori and Sheetala sitting beneath a large tree. The sisters were irritated with the lice in their hair and were trying to get rid of them. When the two daughters-in-law saw this, they helped them and removed all the lice from their heads.
Forgiveness From Sheetala Mata
The two sisters were extremely relaxed and said to them, “ May your bellies find peace, the way you have cooled down our heads.” The sisters told them that they have been roaming around with the dead bodies of the children that took birth from their bellies in search of Goddess Sheetala, but can’t find her.
Upon hearing this, one of the sisters said to them, “The two of you are sinners, wicked and mischievous, you aren’t even worth looking at. On the day of the Sheetala Ashtami, you both had warm food, instead of eating stale, cold food. The daughters-in-law suddenly recognized Goddess Sheetala and begged for forgiveness.
Looking at the sincerity in their penitent words, she forgave them and brought their boys back to life. The daughters-in-law came back to the village and were happily welcomed by the villagers who got to know that they had had the pleasure to meet Goddess Sheetala herself.
Ever since the significance of Sheetala Ashtami has increased and the day is widely celebrated by devotees all over the world.
Conclusion
The day of the Sheetala Ashtami holds great significance in the Hindu religion and is known to help devotees cure their diseases and rid them of all sufferings. We hope that the above-mentioned details have helped you to understand all about this auspicious day and that Sheetala Mata blesses you with a happy and healthy life.
Are constant challenges bogging you down? Talk to Astrologers for the solution. First Consultation with 100% Cashback!