About Sheetla Asthami Festival
Falguna or Phalguna Bahula Ashtami or Phalguna Krishna Paksha Ashtami is celebrated as Sheetala Ashtami. Sheetala Ashtami is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala in the month of Chaitra (March – April) as per the traditional calendar followed in North India. Sheetalashtami Vrat is observed on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in Chaitra month.At Jaipur, Seel-Ki-Doongri, a small village, is a hillock on top which stands the shrine of Sheetla Mata.
Falguna or Phalguna Bahula Ashtami or Phalguna Krishna Paksha Ashtami is celebrated as Sheetala Ashtami. Sheetala Ashtami is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala in the month of Chaitra (March – April) as per the traditional calendar followed in North India. Sheetalashtami Vrat is observed on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in Chaitra month.At Jaipur, Seel-Ki-Doongri, a small village, is a hillock on top which stands the shrine of Sheetla Mata.
On this occasion, women do not enter their kitchen and consume the goodies prepared the previous evening. The festival is also used for trading and selling in wares such as shoes, clothes, foodstuff, utensils and agricultural implements. A cattle fair is also organized during the fair.
Sheetala Ashtami Puja
Sheetla mata is worshiped on the first Monday and Thursday after Holi. She is worshiped according to the right procedure and purity. Cold and stale food is offered to Sheetla Devi after the puja. This food is known as Basauda. The same food is consumed by the devotees and distributed among everyone.
Sheetala Ashtami Puja
Sheetla mata is worshiped on the first Monday and Thursday after Holi. She is worshiped according to the right procedure and purity. Cold and stale food is offered to Sheetla Devi after the puja. This food is known as Basauda. The same food is consumed by the devotees and distributed among everyone.
Devotees fast on this day and Sheetla mata is worshipped. Sheetlashtak is read and Sheetla mata is worshipped after the fast is over. Sheetlashtak describes the magnificence of Sheetla mata and later on her mantra is recited which is very effective.
"Vande Shitla Devi Rasbhasthadigambaram||
Marjnikalshopeta surpalkrutmsakam||"
Basauda is distributed among the devotees after Sheetla mata’s worship. Devotees ask for blessings from Sheetla mata. Sheetla Ashtami is also known as Basauda in northern India. Consuming stale food is stopped after this day. It is believed that worshipping Sheetla mata relieves a person from all his problems and diseases like Dahajwar, Pitajwar, smallpox, smelling boils, eye problems etc.
Sheetala Ashtami Festival celebration in Rajasthan
The Sheetala Ashtami is best celebrated in the Chakshu region of Jaipur. Chakshu is like a small hamlet located near Jaipur. This festival is visited by a large number of people as it boasts a unique charm. It is usually celebrated during the spring season. It usually falls in the month of March and creates great deal of excitement among local people.During the festival the nearby market also boasts a different look altogether. It displays a variety of items like food items, shoes, agricultural implements etc. During the festival, a number of musical events are organized. This acts as a platform to display the talents of the local people.
Tourists visiting the festival of Sheetala Ashtami in Rajasthan have a gala time. The various events and rituals of this festival help them to have a close look of the rich culture and tradition of the Rajasthan. They also get the opportunity to buy a number of exquisite items that are displayed in the nearby market.
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