When is Shitala Ashtami? Know the correct date, auspicious time and method of worship

Sheetala Ashtami 2024 Date: Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month, this year this festival will be celebrated on 2 April. Every year the festival of Shitala Ashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month. It is also called Basoda Ashtami. Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month will start from 9.09 pm on 1st April. Whereas Ashtami Tithi will end at 8:08 pm on 2nd April. According to the Panchang, the auspicious time to perform the puja is from 6:19 am to 6:32 pm on April 2. There is a religious belief that by observing a fast on this day and worshiping Mother Shitala, a person gets relief from every sorrow and pain and gets the blessings of long life.

sheetala ashtami puja material

Roli, kumkum, mehndi, turmeric, akshat, mauli, clothes, dakshina, flowers, curd, cold milk, Holi badkules, kalash filled with water, ghee, flour lamp, fast story book, sweet rice for Shitala Ashtami fast puja. Include churma, magad, khaja, namak pare, sugar pare, gram flour chakki, pua, pakoda, rabri, millet roti, puri, kandvare, gram dal in the worship material.

Shitala Ashtami Puja Method

• Prepare Prasad and keep it on Saptami night a day before Shitala Ashtami.
• On the day of Ashtami, take bath in the morning and offer water to the idol of Shitala Mata in the temple.
• Offer Roli, Mehenda, Haldi, Akshat, Kalava.
• Now put ghee and cotton wick in the flour lamp and place it in front of the idol of Mother Goddess.
• Offer stale halwa, puri, millet roti, pua, rabri, etc.
• Recite Shitalashtak Stotra and then listen to the story of Shitala Ashtami fast.
• Now worship at the place where Holika Dahan took place. Offer some water and worship material.
• On this day some Neem leaves are also eaten along with Prasad. This cures diseases.
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Shitala Ashtami fasting rules

• Fresh food is not prepared at home on the day of Sheetala Ashtami.
• The stove is not lit on the day of Shitala Ashtami.
• Eat cold and stale food on this day.
• Do not wear new clothes or black clothes on the day of Sheetala Ashtami.
• Do not offer fresh food to Mother Shitala at all.
• Head should not be washed on Saptami and Ashtami.
• Mill or spinning wheel should not be operated on this day.
• On the day of Shitala Ashtami, one should not sew or thread a needle.
• This fast should not be observed in a house where someone is sick with smallpox.