Sheetla Ashtami
One of the small and grand festivals is the Sheetla Ashtami festival. Fair is also held at number of places in Rajasthan on this day. The Sheetla Mata fair at a small hamlet Chaksu, Jaipur and Kaga, Jodhpur with great passion and zeal.
Sheetla Ashtami is celebrated during the spring season in the month of March after seven days of Holi.
It is a common belief among all the people that worshipping Sheetla Mata on Sheetla Ashtami would prevent them from the deadly outbreak of diseases.
Sheetla Mata is commonly called the goddess of small pox. The huge excitement and gusto of celebration of the festival is worth watching.
The Sheetla Ashtami is best celebrated in the Chakshu region of Jaipur. Chakshu is like a small hamlet located near Jaipur. This festival is visited by a large number of people as it boasts a unique charm. It is usually celebrated during the spring season. It usually falls in the month of March and creates great deal of excitement among local people.
The festival is also associated with a number of religious beliefs. According to the belief, celebration of this festival would save the people from epidemics. In fact, by celebrating the festival, the local people pay respect to the goddess of small pox. The local people of Chakshu have a firm.
Devotees prepared food one day before of Sheetla Ashtami & the day of ashtami they visit to the temple in queue and performed puja of Sheetla Mata with their food. People gorge on this food which is called Baseda in local lingo as a Prasad of Sheetla mata. All the eatables which are of cool in nature are offered to the diety.
Some consider Bajra, Rabri and curd as an essential offering. A Separate temporary mandap is made for this day and a red stone representing the idol of Sheetla Mata is kept there, for worship by devotees.
