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News India Live, Digital Desk: Festival of Shitala Ashtami in the year 2026 March 11, Wednesday Will be celebrated. According to religious beliefs, worshiping Sheetala Mata on this day maintains happiness and peace in the family and especially protects from smallpox, measles and other infectious diseases.
Auspicious Timing
According to the Panchang, the details of Ashtami Tithi are as follows:
Ashtami Tithi starts: From 11th March 2026, 01:54 PM.
Ashtami Tithi ends: As of March 12, 2026, 04:19 am.
Auspicious time of worship: morning on 11th march 06:36 AM to 06:27 PM till.
Shitala Saptami (Randha Pua): 10 March 2026 (Food is prepared and kept on this day).
Why doesn’t the stove burn today?
Lighting the stove in the house is considered prohibited on the day of Sheetala Ashtami. There is a deep scientific and religious reason behind this:
Religious reasons: Sheetala Mata is considered the goddess of coolness. They like ‘cold’ (stale) food prepared a day before rather than fresh or hot food. It is believed that lighting the stove on this day can make Mother Goddess angry.
Scientific reasons: This is the time of seasonal change (the end of winter and the arrival of summer). During this Sandhi period, keeping the body cool and eating light, cold food gives strength to fight seasonal diseases.
Simple worship method of Sheetala Mata (Puja Vidhi)
One day before (on Saptami): Prepare sweet rice (jaggery), puri, rabri, curd and other dishes.
On Ashtami day: Wake up early in the morning and take bath with cold water and wear clean clothes.
Worship: Offer water to Mata Shitala and offer stale food (Basoda) prepared to Roli, Akshat, flowers and Saptami.
Importance of curd: Curd and Rabri are mainly offered in the puja.
Story: After the puja, listen to the fast story of Sheetala Mata and perform aarti.
Caution:
Do not cook or eat fresh food at all on this day. The entire family should accept only stale food as Prasad.