Sheetala Ashtami 2026 Date: According to Hindi calendar, the month of Chaitra is going on. Many fasts and festivals are observed in this month. These include the fast of Shitala Ashtami. Shitala Ashtami is also called Basoda. This fast is observed every year on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month. There is a tradition of worshiping Mother Sheetala on this day. They are prayed for the health of the family and protection from diseases.
Stale food is offered to the Mother Goddess. This is a special tradition associated with this fast. On this day, stoves are not lit in homes. At the same time, there is doubt in the minds of people whether this year Sheetala Ashtami fast will be observed on 11th March or 12th. In such a situation, let us know the exact date of Sheetala Ashtami fast. Also let us know why the stove is not lit in homes on the day of Sheetala Ashtami?
When is Shitala Ashtami? (When is Sheetala Ashtami 2026?)
According to the Panchang, this year the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Chaitra month is starting on March 11 at 01:54 AM. The end of this date will be at 04:19 am on March 12. In such a situation, according to Udayatithi, Sheetala Ashtami fast will be observed on March 11 this year and Mother Goddess will be worshipped.
Why is the stove not lit on this day?
Stoves are not lit in homes on Shitala Ashtami day. This tradition makes it special and different. People prepare food a day before Sheetala Ashtami fast i.e. on Saptami Tithi. The next day the food is offered to Mata Shitala in cold or stale form. After this, the same food is consumed by the family members. It is believed that lighting the stove on this day may displease the Mother Goddess.
In such a situation, only cold food is eaten on the day of Shitala Ashtami. This is the reason Sheetala Ashtami is called Basoda. This is related to stale food.
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Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.