Sheetala Ashtami 2025: Date, Puja Vidhi, and Bhog Items to Offer Mata Sheetla:

In Sanatan Dharma, the Sheetala Ashtami Vrat holds deep spiritual significance. Devotees worship Mata Sheetala, regarded as the goddess of health and cleanliness, seeking protection from diseases and blessings for family well-being. This year, Sheetala Ashtami falls on March 22, 2025 (Saturday).

What to Offer to Mata Sheetla on Sheetala Ashtami

Following tradition, cold or pre-cooked food is offered to the goddess on this day. Here are some common bhog items:

Kheer:

Made from rice, milk, and jaggery. Offering kheer is believed to prevent health issues and bring blessings of good health.

Puris:

Deep-fried wheat flour puris are commonly offered. It is said that this brings happiness and prosperity in the home.

Halwa:

Sweet halwa made from semolina or wheat flour is also included in the bhog. It is considered auspicious and invokes grace from the goddess.

Sheetala Ashtami Puja Vidhi (Method of Worship)

Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean red clothes.
Prepare a worship area with an idol or image of Mata Sheetla.
Offer cold/stale food (cooked a day earlier) like kheer, puri, and halwa.
Chant Sheetla Mata mantras and perform aarti.
Refrain from cooking fresh food on this day as Mata Sheetla is traditionally offered cold food.

Significance of Sheetala Ashtami Vrat

This vrat emphasizes cleanliness, health, and preventive care.
Special importance is given to children’s well-being, as Mata Sheetla is believed to protect them from diseases.
Families worship her to invite peace, prosperity, and good health into their homes.