Sheetala Saptami in 2026 will be observed in New Delhi on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, with the main puja performed during the daytime Saptami tithi. For devotees in Delhi, this guide explains the exact date, puja time, tithi timings, significance and easy‑to‑follow rituals in a clear, user‑friendly way.
Sheetala Saptami 2026: Exact Date in New Delhi
Most major panchangs and religion portals agree that Sheetala Saptami 2026 falls on 10 March 2026 (Tuesday) in North India, including New Delhi.
- Moneycontrol’s religion desk states clearly: “Sheetala Saptami 2026 will be observed on March 10, Tuesday.”
- India TV’s spirituality section also lists Sheetala Saptami 2026 – March 10, 2026 (Tuesday) in its date and time explainer.
- A detailed tithi calendar on The Divine India labels Krishna Paksha Saptami (Sheetala Saptami) as Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
So for New Delhi, NCT, you should celebrate and perform the vrat on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
Sheetala Saptami 2026 Date (New Delhi)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Sheetala Saptami 2026 |
| City / Region | New Delhi, NCT, India |
| Day & Date | Tuesday, 10 March 2026 |
| Paksha & Tithi | Krishna Paksha Saptami |
Saptami Tithi Timings for 2026 (Panchang Details)
According to Drik Panchang and The Divine India, the Saptami tithi associated with Sheetala Saptami runs across two calendar days.
Combined data shows:
- Saptami Tithi begins:
- 11:27 PM on Monday, 9 March 2026.
- Saptami Tithi ends:
- 1:54 AM on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 (i.e., just after midnight of 10 March).
Because Hindu festivals are observed according to udaya tithi (tithi prevailing at sunrise), the Saptami tithi in Delhi is considered valid on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, which is why all major sources assign the festival to that day.
Saptami Tithi for Sheetala Saptami 2026
| Tithi Event | Date & Time (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Saptami starts | 11:27 PM, 9 March 2026 (Monday) |
| Saptami ends | 1:54 AM, 11 March 2026 (Wednesday) |
| Udaya tithi day | Sunrise of 10 March 2026 (Tuesday) |
Sheetala Saptami 2026: Puja Muhurat & Best Time to Worship
Different portals give slightly different “start–end” windows for puja muhurat, but they all agree that the entire daylight span on 10 March 2026 is auspicious for Sheetala Mata worship in New Delhi.
Moneycontrol (New Delhi timings)
Moneycontrol’s Sheetala Saptami 2026 article provides a detailed muhurat table for Delhi:
- Sheetala Saptami Puja Muhurat:
- 06:37 AM to 06:26 PM (New Delhi)
- Puja duration:
- 11 hours 50 minutes
India TV (general puja window)
India TV lists a very similar but slightly rounded window:
- Sheetala Saptami Puja Muhurta:
- 06:04 AM to 05:56 PM
Rudraksha‑Ratna (general Sheetala Saptami)
Rudraksha‑Ratna also notes a puja muhurat for Sheetala Saptami on 10 March 2026 from 06:51 AM to 06:47 PM (generic reference; local sunrise may shift it slightly).
For New Delhi, the most precise, locally tuned range is the Moneycontrol/Drik Panchang window:
You can safely perform Sheetala Mata puja any time between sunrise and sunset on 10 March 2026, ideally in the morning hours.
Sheetala Saptami 2026 Puja Time (New Delhi)
| Source | Puja Muhurat (New Delhi, 10 March 2026) |
|---|---|
| Moneycontrol | 06:37 AM – 06:26 PM (11h 50m) |
| India TV | 06:04 AM – 05:56 PM |
| Rudraksha‑Ratna | 06:51 AM – 06:47 PM (general) |
If you want a simple rule as a devotee in Delhi:
- Wake up early, take bath and complete puja between sunrise and late afternoon on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
Sheetala Saptami vs Sheetala Ashtami 2026 (New Delhi)
Many people get confused between Sheetala Saptami and Sheetala Ashtami (Basoda).
- Sheetala Saptami is observed on Krishna Paksha Saptami and is usually one day before Ashtami.
- Moneycontrol and Live Hindustan clarify that in 2026, Sheetala Saptami falls on 10 March, while Sheetala Ashtami falls on 11 March 2026 (Wednesday).
Rudraksha‑Ratna also confirms:
- Sheetala Saptami: Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
- Sheetala Ashtami: Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
So if you are in New Delhi and specifically want to keep Sheetala Saptami vrat, your day is 10 March, not 11 March.
Significance of Sheetala Saptami
Sheetala Saptami is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala, regarded in Hindu tradition as the deity who protects from fevers, pox‑type diseases and epidemics, especially among children.
Key points from religious explainers:
- GaneshaSpeaks and Rudraksha‑Ratna describe it as a vrat for health, protection and immunity, particularly against ailments like smallpox, chickenpox and measles.
- Devotees pray for the well‑being of children and family, asking the goddess to ward off seasonal fevers and infections.
- The festival is especially prominent in North India, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and parts of Gujarat, where Sheetala Mata temples are common.
Some traditions also link Sheetala Saptami/Basoda with not lighting the stove on the puja day and consuming food cooked on the previous day, symbolising cooling and rest.
Main Rituals and Puja Vidhi (Easy Step‑by‑Step)
Different sites present long ritual lists, but they broadly agree on these simple steps.
1. Preparations (Day Before – 9 March 2026)
- Cook food a day earlier:
- On 9 March 2026 (Monday), devotees prepare simple vegetarian food (rotis, rice, sabzi, sweets) and keep it aside safely for next day’s bhog.
- Avoid cooking the next day:
- Many observe the rule of not lighting the stove on Saptami itself and consuming “basi” (previous‑day cooked) food, as a specific vow to Sheetala Mata.
2. On Sheetala Saptami Day – 10 March 2026
Rituals summarised from GaneshaSpeaks, Rudraksha‑Ratna and Muhuratam:
- Wake up early:
- Take a bath, preferably in cool water (as per tradition) and wear clean clothes.
- Maintain purity:
- Try to keep calm speech, avoid anger and harsh words, and maintain a sattvic mindset.
- Set up the puja place:
- Either visit a nearby Sheetala Mata temple or create a small shrine at home with her image or a kalash representing the goddess.
- Offerings (bhog):
- Offer the food cooked on the previous day, known as Basoda, along with:
- Water
- Turmeric
- Neem leaves or branches
- Curd and other cooling food items (like rice, gram, etc.).
- Offer the food cooked on the previous day, known as Basoda, along with:
- Puja and mantras:
- Light a diya and incense.
- Recite Sheetala Mata aarti, Sheetala Saptami Vrat Katha or simple prayers asking for health and protection.
- Charity and sharing:
- Distribute some of the Basoda prasad to neighbours, relatives or the poor.
- Offer donations or food in the name of the goddess.
3. Food Rules
- Avoid eating freshly cooked hot food on Saptami; the emphasis is on cold, pre‑cooked, simple meals as a mark of respect to Sheetala Mata.
- Some families may keep a full or partial fast, taking only prasad and cold items.
Sheetala Saptami 2026: Quick Reference Tables
One‑Look Summary for New Delhi Devotees
For residents of the capital, “Sheetala Saptami 2026: Date & Puja Time (New Delhi)” simply means marking Tuesday, 10 March 2026, cooking your Basoda meal on 9 March, and performing Sheetala Mata’s puja any time between sunrise and sunset on the 10th, following easy rituals that focus on cooling foods, cleanliness and heartfelt prayer for family health.
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