Basoda: Stale food is offered to Mata Sheetla for this reason. 

Sheetala Ashtami 2023:

According to belief, Mother Sheetla is worshiped on Sheetla Saptami and Sheetla Ashtami.

On this day mothers observe fast for the health of their children and worship Sheetla Mata.

This year, the fast of Sheetla Ashtami will be observed on March 14.

It is believed that Mother Sheetla protects children from diseases like smallpox.

This day is also called Basoda because Basoda means stale food is offered in the worship of Mata Sheetla.

But, very few people are aware that why fresh dishes are not offered to Mata Sheetla like other deities and why the devotees themselves do not receive fresh offerings on this day.

There is an interesting legend hidden behind it. 

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Why Basoda is offered on Sheetla Ashtami 

The women observing Sheetala Ashtami Vrat prepare bhog and prasad for Sheetla Maiya a night before and offer Basoda to Mother Sheetla the next day.

It is said that even lighting a stove in the house on this day is not auspicious.

An ancient story is hidden behind doing this. 

It is believed to be a matter of time.

There was a village in which Sheetla Mata was being worshipped.

While worshiping, many people of the village offered fresh and hot dishes to Mother Sheetla.

Mother Sheetla's face got burnt due to this indulgence and she became angry.

The same night a fire broke out in the village and all the houses were burnt, but there was one hut which did not budge.

Everyone wondered how the hut of an old woman survived.

When the old woman was questioned, she told that she had not fed fresh but stale food to Sheetla Mata.

Mata Sheetla did not get angry with the old woman for feeding her Basoda.

From this day the tradition of feeding Basoda to Mata Sheetla started.

According to belief, Mata Sheetla is pleased with Basoda and gives boon to everyone to be healthy. 

Bhog and Prasad are prepared a day before Sheetla Ashtami.

The next day, after taking a bath, take a vow of fasting.

Women do not light the stove in the house on this day.

Worship is done at the crossroads by taking prasad, bhog, water, roli, rice and incense etc. in the plate. 

(Disclaimer: The information given here is based on general beliefs and information. NDTV does not confirm it.)

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