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News India Live, Digital Desk: According to the Hindu calendar, exactly eight days after Holi, on the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month. Sheetala Ashtami The festival of is celebrated. It is also known as ‘Basoda’ in many parts of North India. In the year 2026, this festival is bringing blessings of health and coolness. Let us know the exact date of puja this year, auspicious time and mythological significance of offering stale food.
Sheetala Ashtami 2026: Date and auspicious time
The mathematics of dates regarding Sheetala Ashtami in the year 2026 is as follows:
Start of Ashtami Tithi: From 06:14 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
End of Ashtami Tithi: Till 08:35 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Shitala Ashtami (Basoda) Puja Date: 11 March 2026, Wednesday.
Most auspicious time of puja: On March 11, from 06:33 am to 06:27 pm.
Special rule of Basoda: Offering is made on Saptami.
The stove is not lit in the house on the day of Shitala Ashtami. For this reason, a special offering is prepared for Mata Rani on the night of Saptami Tithi (10 March 2026).
Soft food: Next day morning i.e. on Ashtami, this ‘stale’ food is offered to Mata Shitala.
What is included in Bhog? Mainly sweet rice (oliya), rabri, curd, millet roti and pua are made.
The whole family eats stale food: After offering food to the Mother Goddess, all the members of the family also take this cold food as Prasad.
Importance of worshiping Shitala Mata
It is believed that Sheetala Mata is the goddess of health. Worshiping him provides relief from chickenpox, measles and eye diseases.
Cleaning message: Mother holds a broom in one hand and a pot of cold water in the other, which is a symbol of cleanliness and coolness.
Seasonal change: This festival marks the departure of spring and arrival of summer. According to Ayurveda, stale food should be discarded after this time.
Worship Method: How to please Mother Goddess?
Wake up early in the morning and take bath with cold water.
Go to the mother’s temple and offer water and offer ‘Basoda’.
Offer turmeric, kumkum and akshat to the mother.
After the puja, definitely listen or read the story of Sheetala Mata.
Finally, make a swastika with turmeric and cow dung on the main entrance of the house.