Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami 2025: Check Date, Basoda Puja Muhurat, Rituals and More

Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami 2025

Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami are significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Goddess Sheetala, who is believed to protect devotees from infectious diseases like smallpox, chickenpox, and measles. This festival is also known as Basoda Puja, and it holds special importance in North Indian states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. Devotees observe this day with great devotion, offering prayers and following age-old rituals to seek divine blessings for health and well-being.

Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami 2025: Date and Time 

Basoda, or Sheetala Ashtami, falls on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami after Holi. Traditionally, most people observe this festival eight days after Holi, but some prefer to perform the puja on the first Monday or Friday following Holi.

One of the unique aspects of Basoda Puja is that families do not light fire for cooking on this day. Instead, they prepare food a day before and consume it as prasad. This tradition symbolizes respect for Goddess Sheetala and is believed to keep ailments at bay.

Rituals of Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami

• Fasting & Early Morning Bath: Devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and visit temples dedicated to Goddess Sheetala.
• Basoda Puja: Offerings of stale food, sweet puris, rabri, and curd-based dishes, are made to Goddess Sheetala.
• No Fresh Cooking: As per tradition, no fresh food is prepared on this day, and devotees consume the food prepared a day before.
• Chanting of Prayers: Devotees recite the Sheetala Mata Stotra and other sacred hymns to seek divine blessings.
• Offering Mustard Seeds & Water: People offer mustard seeds, milk, and cold water to the deity, symbolizing relief from heat-related ailments.
• Temple Visits: Devotees visit Sheetala Mata temples, where special prayers and rituals are conducted.

In Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, grand processions and temple ceremonies mark the occasion, where devotees participate in community prayers and charitable acts.

Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami 2025 will be observed with immense faith and devotion, emphasizing traditional customs and prayers. The unique practice of consuming pre-cooked food and avoiding freshly prepared meals signifies reverence for the Goddess and her blessings for a disease-free life. By following the rituals with sincerity, devotees seek divine grace for good health, happiness, and overall well-being.

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