BASOHLI, Sep 3: A special Shitala Mata Puja is performed at the Mishra residence in Basohli a day before Janmashtami. According to the family, the religious tradition has been continuing for nearly eight decades.
A unique aspect of the tradition is that no cooking is done in the house on the day of the puja. Food is prepared a day in advance, and on the day of the worship, the Mishra couple observes the tradition by eating cold food and roti.
Pujarin Neelam Mishra said that newly married couples especially visit the shrine at the Mishra residence to seek the blessings of Shitala Mata. During the puja, she places fruits in their laps as a blessing. It is believed that many of these couples return the following year with their child to seek the goddess’s blessings.
According to Neelam Mishra, people continue to have deep faith in this age-old religious tradition. Devotees from Basohli, nearby areas and even distant places visit the Mishra residence to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Shitala Mata.