Sheetala Ashtami Vrat Katha in Hindi: Shitala Ashtami or Basoda is an important festival of Hindu religion, which is celebrated after Holi and between Chaitra Navratri. Sheetala Mata is worshiped on this day. The special thing is that on this day, fresh food is not cooked in homes, rather everyone in the family eats stale food cooked the day before.

Stale food is also offered to Mother Shitala, due to which this festival is also called Basoda. It is believed that by accepting stale and cold food as Prasad on Basoda, Goddess Sheetala protects people from diseases and infections etc.

When is Basoda (Basoda 2026 Date)

According to the calendar, the festival of Shitala Ashtami or Basoda is celebrated every year on the Ashtami date of Chaitra Krishna Paksha. This year Basoda is falling on Wednesday 11 March 2026. The time from 06:11 am to 06:05 pm will be auspicious for puja. But devotees should keep in mind that during Basoda Puja, they must recite the fast story related to Mata Shitala, because without this the puja is not considered complete.

Sheetala Ashtami fast story

According to the story, once Mother Sheetala thought that she should go to Earth and see whether people worship her or not. When Shitala Mata came to earth, she saw that no temple of hers was established and no devotee even worshiped her properly. Sheetala Mata started touring the village. While roaming in the village street, someone threw hot water of boiled rice on him, due to which his body started getting severe burning sensation and blisters also formed. Distraught with jealousy and pain, Sheetala Mata started wandering in the village for help, but no one helped her and people ignored her.

Then a poor potter saw the condition of her mother. Out of pity he fed mother cold stale bread and curd. By consuming cold food the burning sensation in his body reduced. Pleased with Kumharin’s service spirit, Mother Shitala appeared and also ended her poverty. Mother Shitala said that the devotee who worships me with devotion and offers cold and stale food on the Ashtami that comes after Holi, there will never be any shortage of money and grains in his house. On the basis of this belief, the festival of Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami date of Chaitra Krishna Paksha.

Also read: Sheetala Ashtami 2026: When is Sheetala Ashtami, know the tradition of Basoda festival in which stale food is offered.