Sheetala Ashtami 2027: when and what time

Puja muhurat and Ashtami tithi

Kolkata times are IST, Dhaka times BST.

Bengali panjikas and Drik Panchang can differ slightly on tithi times; check your own panjika.

Who Shitala is, and her worship in Bengal

Shitala is a Hindu goddess worshipped mainly in North India, regarded as an incarnation of Parvati and most directly linked with smallpox. Her name means “the one who cools”. (Source: Wikipedia, Shitala)

The main yearly worship is in Chaitra, after Holi. Many families do not light their stoves on these days and eat cold food cooked the night before as prasada. (Source: Wikipedia, Shitala)

Bengal has a long tradition of Shitala worship: the earliest Bengali poems on her were composed in Saptagram in 1690, and 18th-century works from Midnapore added to her prominence. Ghentu-devata, Raktavati and Oladevi are often worshipped alongside her there. (Source: Wikipedia, Shitala)

Sources

2027, Kolkata. (Source: Drik Panchang, Sheetala Ashtami 2027 (Kolkata))

2027, Dhaka. (Source: Drik Panchang, Sheetala Ashtami 2027 (Dhaka))

Questions

When is Sheetala Ashtami in 2027?

Tuesday 30 March 2027, in Kolkata and Dhaka (Drik Panchang).

What is the Sheetala Ashtami puja time in Kolkata 2027?

5:32 am to 5:51 pm; in Dhaka 5:53 am to 6:13 pm.

When is Basoda in 2027?

On the same day as Sheetala Ashtami, Tuesday 30 March 2027 (Drik Panchang).

Why is cold food eaten on Sheetala Ashtami?

Many families eat food cooked the night before as prasada, based on the idea that hot food is best avoided as summer approaches (Wikipedia).