Sheetla Ashtami – Importance and Rearing
What is Sheetla Ashtami?
Sheetla Ashtami is celebrated in honor of Goddess Sheetla. On this special day, people also perform Basoda Puja which is a famous festival of Hindus. According to scriptures and Hindu mythology, by worshiping Goddess Sheetla, devotees (especially children) can be protected from various epidemic diseases.
When is Sheetla Ashtami?
According to the Hindu calendar, Sheetla Ashtami occurs during the Krishna Paksha of Ashtami (the eighth day) in the month of Chaitra. According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in the month of April or March. The festival of Sheetla Ashtami usually takes place eight days after the festival of Harshaollas.
What is the importance of Sheetla Ashtami?
In Hindu mythology, Sheetla Mata has an important significance as it is believed that she is the goddess and controller of various diseases including smallpox, measles and chicken pox. In the picture form, the goddess is riding the donkey as it is the vehicle of the deity. She keeps a broom, a kalash (pot) of holy water, some neem leaves and a dustpan with four hands. According to beliefs, it is believed that the goddess Sheetla wipes out all germs and then uses the dustbin to collect them. The primary importance of Sheetla Ashtami is that the gods cure diseases and bring health and peace in the lives of devotees.
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- * Mother Shitala is the goddess presiding over cleanliness.
- * They own all the cool things.
- * Mata Sheetla is also called Pathwari.
- * Mother Goddess protects devotees from being misguided.
- * Warns invisibly before going the wrong route.
- * Bathing on Basoda in the morning with cold water.
- * Children whose children still drink mother’s milk should not take bath on Basoda day.
- * The Basoda festival dedicated to Maa Shitla is called Shitala Saptami, some people make it with the mantar on Ashtami.
- * Mata Sheetla, who is supposed to cure diseases, is considered to be in the Vat tree, hence Vat worship is also done on this day.
- * On this day the stove is not lit in the house nor fresh food is cooked in the house.
- * Food is prepared one day before and stale food is served the next day by worshiping Sheetla. It is a fast in which stale food is offered and taken.
- * There is a temple of Maa Sheetla in Gurgaon. In the Mahabharata period, Guru Dronacharya used to teach astrology to the Kauravas and Pandavas here.
- * Special care is taken on this day that no family member should consume hot food by mistake.
- * Maa Shitala gives fame, prevents her from being wrong.
- * This fast increases freedom from troubles, fame and fame.