Shitala Ashtami Festivals - शीतला ष्टमी
Shitla Ashtami, which falls on eight day after Holi, is devoted to the goddess of small-pox, followed by Ram Navami on Chaitra Sudi Navami, commemorating the birth of Lord Rama; Baisakhi Purnima, a big bathing day; Bargadee Amavasya in Jaistha Dussehra, another great bathing day; Guru Purnima in Asadh when Vyas Puja is held and Nag Panchami dedicated to the worship of the Snake God, Shesha.
The festival of Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated with the belief that this would prevent them from the deadly epidemics. The local people of the village Chakshu pay obeisance to the goddess of small pox who is Sheetala Mata. The locals have a firm reverence for the goddess and they are of the view that by paying reverence to the goddess they will be immune to the hazards of the epidemics. There is a red stone that represents the deity of Sheetala Ashtami. The festival is celebrated with huge excitement and gusto and there is a market that is put up during the festival to celebrate the festival with a lot of items being on display where the devotees congregate. Indigenous shoes, food items, agricultural implements and food are the chief products that are being sold during the fair at the Sheetala Ashtami. There are lot of colorful attires and musical events that are organized in which the participants display their talent. There are also a lot of rituals and religious activities that are performed during the play. The tourists have a good time being here during the festival since they have a chance to observe the culture and tradition of the local people of the village from very close. They come and take the souvenirs that are also on display at the markets during the fair. So, on a tour of Rajasthan do not miss out on the Sheetala Ashtami in Chakshu, Jaipur.
The festival of Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated with the belief that this would prevent them from the deadly epidemics. The local people of the village Chakshu pay obeisance to the goddess of small pox who is Sheetala Mata. The locals have a firm reverence for the goddess and they are of the view that by paying reverence to the goddess they will be immune to the hazards of the epidemics. There is a red stone that represents the deity of Sheetala Ashtami. The festival is celebrated with huge excitement and gusto and there is a market that is put up during the festival to celebrate the festival with a lot of items being on display where the devotees congregate. Indigenous shoes, food items, agricultural implements and food are the chief products that are being sold during the fair at the Sheetala Ashtami. There are lot of colorful attires and musical events that are organized in which the participants display their talent. There are also a lot of rituals and religious activities that are performed during the play. The tourists have a good time being here during the festival since they have a chance to observe the culture and tradition of the local people of the village from very close. They come and take the souvenirs that are also on display at the markets during the fair. So, on a tour of Rajasthan do not miss out on the Sheetala Ashtami in Chakshu, Jaipur.