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Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Sheetala From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sheetala Ashtami or Sheetalasthami is a Hindu festival in honor of the goddess Shitala or Sheetala, celebrated on the eighth day (ashtami) after the festival of colors, Holi.
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Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha (the waning moon) in the Hindu month of Chaitra,[1][2] and thus falls eight days after Holi.[3]
The festival falls at the start of the summer season; Shitala is worshipped to ward off heat-borne diseases, such as smallpox, and also to bring prosperity.[1][2] Observances of the day involve offering to the goddess and consuming only food prepared one or two days before.[1][2][3] For this reason, Sheetala Ashtami is referred to in some parts of India as Basora or Basoda, meaning "previous night".[2] Khadi, panchkuta, khichiya,[2] and sweetened rice[3] are foods traditionally offered and consumed. After this day, stale food is not to be eaten.[3]
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