Sheetla Ashtami is held to worship Goddess Sheetala who is generally known as the Goddess of small pox. It is celebrated in the month of Chaitra that is in the month of March or April, on the eighth day of fading moon.
The festival is celebrated mainly in North Indian States such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, few areas of Bihar and also in the neighborhood country Nepal.
It is believed that by worshipping Goddess Sheetala on this day she will obstruct them from fatal diseases. One day before the festival and on this day devotees visit temples of Goddess Sheetala to worship.