Sheetala Ashtami 2025 Date, Muhurat, Katha and Importance

Sheetala Ashtami or Basoda puja is one of the major Hindu festivals where people worship goddess Sheetala. It is celebrated on the 8th day of Krishna Paksha of Hindu month Chitra. In this blog, we are going to learn Sheetala Ashtami 2025 Date, Muhurat, Katha, and Importance.

This festival is observed on the 8th day after Holi, also few communities observe it on the 1st Thursday or Monday after Holi. Also, in a few places Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated every month and Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami is most auspicious.  

Sheetala Ashtami 2025 Date and time

Sheetala Ashtami date: 22nd March 2025

Sheetala Ashtami Tithi begins: on 22nd March 2025 at 4:23 Am

Sheetala Ashtami Tithi ends: 23rd March 2025, 5:23 Am

Sheetala Ashtami Puja Muhurat: 6:23 Am to 6:33 Pm

Who is Sheetla Mata?

Sheetala, in Hindu mythology, is an important goddess who is seated on a donkey and holds neem leaves, broom, soup, and pot in her hand. Her grandeur is described in many religious books, like Skanda Purana, where the merits of Sheetala Ashtami are given in great detail.

Sheetala Mata Stotra is called Sheetalaashtak, which is composed by Lord Shiva and will be included in Skanda Purana.

Know More: Phalguna Purnima 2025

Sheetala Ashtami Significance

Sheetala Ashtami is the main festival in north India, especially in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. In Rajasthan, there is a great celebration of this festival, hosting great fairs and musical events.

People commemorate this festival with devotion, assuming that keeping Fast on this day will guard them from a host of ailments. On this day individuals worship Goddess Sheetala who is said to be the ruler of such diseases as chickenpox, measles, and smallpox. 

By worshipping Mata on this auspicious day, individuals can avoid the spread of epidemic diseases in their households. People take her blessings for the good health and well-being of their families.

Sheetla Ashtami katha

There are many stories related to Sheetala Ashtami Vrat. but one of the most famous stories related to this festival is that there was a king named Shubhaketu who was a generous king. He has a daughter named Shenhalata.

The king was a devotee of goddess Sheetala and people of his kingdom celebrate Sheetala Ashtami as a grand festival.  After some years, the King’s Daughter got married to Prince Priyabrata. She visited her father’s kingdom during festival season and participated in puja. According to the rules of the custom house, she left the pond located in the forest with her friends.

And at that time Mata turned into an old lady and guided them towards the pond. During that time, she helped them in performing the ritual and at the end Mata was pleased and granted boon to Shenhalata. And she told the goddess that she will use the boon only when she needs it.  On the way back to the kingdom, she saw a poor family crying because of the death of their family member because of chickenpox.

At that moment she remembered the boon and prayed to Mata to give life to the dead man. This information spread across the country and everybody realized the importance of Sheetala Mata puja. After that, people started observing fast with devotion and faith.  

Know More: Amalaki Ekadashi 2025

Sheetala Ashtami Puja Vidhi

On this day people follow a unique tradition where they don’t light fire for cooking. Also, they make food a day before Sheetala Ashtami and consume it on the festive day. This food is also offered to Sheetala Mata.

People start their day early in the morning, take a shower before sunrise and visit Sheetala Mata Mandir. They worship the Mata with Haldi and bajra and listen to Sheetla Ashtami Katha. They offer her Rabri, curd and other things that are made for her. People also take blessings from their elders for strengthening the bond between families.

After offering food to Mata, people eat the prepared food as Prasad. The food is also distributed among the needy. Reading Shitalaashtak is considered very auspicious on this day.  

Sheetala Ashtami Bhog

 As we discussed earlier the food is cooked before the day of Sheetala Ashtami. It is believed that people who eat cold food on this day will not suffer from diseases that are caused by cold. There are a few things that need to be offered to Mata on this day:

1.     Sweet rice

2.     Lapsi

3.     Puri

4.     Dal and rice

5.     Churma

6.     Pua

7.     Dumplings

8.     Rabri

9.     Bajra roti

10.  Soaked gram dal

Know More: Festival of Color - Holi 

Shop them here: Good Health Well Being Bracelet

Read more: Vijaya Ekadashi 2025

Check your horoscope here: Today Horoscope: Prediction for 20 March 2025

For further details, visit Dhwani Astro (Instagram: @dhwaniastro) and chat with our astrologer for expert advice at www.dhwaniastro.com