Introduction On this day, stoves are not lit. People eat “Basoda” (stale/cold food cooked the previous night). It is observed to protect the family from heat-related diseases like smallpox and chickenpox.

The Story (Vrat Katha) In a village, it was the day of Sheetala Saptami. The custom was to eat cold food. However, one woman decided to cook fresh, hot food and bathe her children in hot water.

That night, Goddess Sheetala (who represents coolness) felt burned by the hot offerings and the steam. In anger, she cursed the woman’s family. Her house caught fire (or in some versions, her children developed high fever/pox).

The woman wailed in grief. She went to the forest and met an old woman (the Goddess in disguise) who was complaining that her head was burning. The grieving mother helped the old woman by picking lice from her hair and applying cooling mud.

Relieved by the cooling touch, the old woman blessed her: “May your stomach remain cool” (meaning, may your children live). The mother realized this was the Goddess. She apologized, returned home, and found her children alive and recovered.

Conclusion Since then, people strictly avoid lighting fires on this day and eat only cold food to please the Goddess.