Sheetalashtami Sheetala Ashtami is the festival dedicated to Goddess Sheetala Devi, observed on Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami, the eighth day in Chaitra month. Sheetalshtami 2010 date is March 8, 2010. Shitalashtami is mainly celebrated in North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and some parts of Bihar. It is also celebrated in Nepal. As per Nepali Calendar, Sheetalashtami 2010 falls on Phalgun Krishna Ashtami day.

Goddess Sheetala Devi, also spelt as Sitala devi is known to be one of the forms of Goddess Parvati Devi. Shitala is one of the generic names of the Gram devta (village Goddess) or the Goddess of Smallpox. She is worshipped to get rid of Smallpox and Chicken pox. Mothers perform the Shitala Vrat for better health of their children. Click here for Seetalastami vrat katha in Hindi or legend of Sheetla Mata.

Sheetala Mata Mandir in Delhi, Sheetala Mata temple at Dhanop near Bhilwara in Rajasthan, Sri Shitala Mata Mandir in Gurgaon, etc, are some of the famous temples dedicated to Goddess Sheetala Devi where Sheetalshtami is observed with utmost gaiety.