2022 Sheetala Ashtami

Basoda (बसोडा) Puja is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala and celebrated on Krishna Paksha Ashtami after Holi. Basoda is also known as Sheetala Ashtami. Usually, it falls after eight days of Holi but many people observe it on the first Monday or Friday after Holi. Sheetala Ashtami is more popular in North Indian states like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Sheetala Ashtami on Friday, March 25, 2022

Sheetala Ashtami Puja Muhurat – 06:18 AM to 06:33 PM
Duration – 12 Hours 14 Mins

Sheetala Ashtami on Thursday, March 24, 2022

According to Basoda customs families don’t light a fire for cooking. Hence most families cook one day before and consume stale food on Sheetala Ashtami day. It is believed that Goddess Sheetala controls smallpox, chickenpox, measles, etc. and people worship her to ward off an outbreak of those diseases.

In Gujarat, a similar ritual as Basoda is observed just a day before Krishna Janmashtami and is known as Shitala Satam. Shitala Satam is also dedicated to Goddess Sheetala and no fresh food is cooked on the day of Sheetala Satam.