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Lucknow, Bureau.Today i.e. Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the festival of Sheetala Saptami is being celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across the country. Celebrated on the Saptami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month, this festival is dedicated to Mata Sheetala, the goddess of health, cleanliness and coolness. This festival is also specially known by the name of ‘Basoda’, because on this day, instead of fresh food, ‘stale’ food prepared a day before is offered to the Mother Goddess.
Auspicious time for worship today (10 March 2026)
Today, auspicious time is available throughout the day for the worship of Mata Shitala. If you are performing puja today, keep these timings in mind:
Pooja Timings: Morning 06:04 AM from evening 05:56 pm till.
Special Recognition: It is considered best to worship Mata Shitala at the time of sunrise.
Why is stale food offered?
Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami are the days when the stove is not lit in the house. It has significance from both religious and scientific point of view:
Religious reasons: It is believed that Mother Shitala loves cold things. Food (like sweet rice, puri, rabri) is prepared on the night of Saptami and today i.e. on the day of Saptami/Ashtami, the same cold food is offered to the Mother Goddess and consumed as Prasad.
Scientific/Health reasons: Summer season starts from Chaitra month. Sheetala Mata’s fast gives us the message that now is the time to be careful about our eating habits and keep our body cool. This fast is observed to protect against diseases like smallpox, measles and boils.
Special offering for Mata Shitala: Sweet rice
On this day, Mother Shitala Sweet rice made from jaggery or sugarcane juice Offering is considered mandatory. It is prepared on the night of Saptami only.
What not to do today: Do not cook fresh food at home today nor consume hot food.
Prasad Distribution: After the puja, feed this cold prasad to all the family members, especially children, as it protects their health.
Special significance of Shitala Saptami
Protection of children: Women observe this fast mainly for the long life and good health of their children.
Freedom from diseases: It is believed that the family which worships Mata Shitala as per the rituals, does not have to face skin diseases and heat related diseases throughout the year.
Message of cleanliness: Mata Shitala has a broom in one hand and a pot in the other, which inspires us to understand the importance of cleanliness and water in life.