SHRI MATA SHEETLA DEVI TEMPLE

Location : Gurgaon, (Haryanasheetla-photo.jpg (412573 bytes))
Presiding Deity : Shri Mata Sheetla Devi
Significance : Shakti-Peeth
Time For Festivity : Through Out The Year Except August, Sept and Nov. to Feb.

One of the major Hindu pilgrimage is the Shri Sheetla Devi Temple located near a pond at Gurgaon village, a suburb of Guru Dronacharya's birth place, in the state of Haryana. The temple is thronged by devotees in large numbers throughout the year. Also referred to as a 'Shakti Peeth', the presiding deity of this temple is Shri Mata Sheetla Devi.
The Legends
There are many legends, which are connected with the building of the present temple of Shri Mata Sheetla Devi. According to one legend, a poor carpenter living in Farukh Nagar had a beautiful daughter of marriageable age. On hearing about her beauty, the Mughal ruler expressed his desire to get married to the girl. The carpenter resented giving away her daughter to a person from a different religion and so appealed to King Surajmal of Bharatpur. The matter being outside his jurisdiction, the king refused to interfere. The disappointed carpenter met Prince Bharatpur, son of King Surajmal while returning home who tried to talk it out with his father but to no avail.Consequently, the prince revolted against his father. On his way to attack Delhi, he passed through Gurgaon and he pledged to the Shri Mata Sheetla Devi that if he returned victorious, he would build a proper temple. The prince won and upon his return, he built the temple. There is another version of the same temple. It is said that when prince of Bharatpur was proceeding towards , he and his army rested at Ballabhgarh.
But the horses refused to move further from here. The court astrologer was summoned to explain the strange behaviour of the horses, whereupon it was found that since obeisance was not paid the goddess after entering Gurgaon on their way, this had angered her. Thus an elaborate worship of the goddess was arranged and the horses started moving. The prince pledged that he would build
a temple on his victorious return.
The Queens At War
The third legend also includes king. On a pilgrimage to Pushkar, a verbal fight ensued between the queen and the king of Bharatpur, Kishori on who would first jump into the waters. The man finally took over and it resulted to King Bharatpur attacking the king of Ajmer, defeating the latter in the process. Queen Kishori was jubiliant and urged the king to build the Shri Mata Sheetla Devi temple and King Bharatpur and Chaudhary Jawahar Singh consecrated the idol made of eight metals in this temple.
Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple during the Hindu month of Chaitra corresponding with the months of March and April. The place resembles a Kumbh-Mela. There is a heavy rush of pilgrims especially on Mondays of this month Situated near a pond, this temple witnesses hordes of pilgrims throughout the year, except during the month of Shravana (August & September). People also come
to this temple to conduct the 'mundan' (shaving off the heads) ceremony of their sons.
Mela Masani Shri Mata or Sheetla Mata Ka Mela
Chief amongthe fairs of the district is that of the goddess of smallpox, Masani, popularly known as Shri Sheetla Mata ka Mela, it is held in village Gurgaon, suburb of Gurgaon city, at the temple of Shri Sheetla Mata. This goddess is believed to help her devotees toward off smallpox. There is a temple of another goddess in the village. She is called Choganan Shri Mata on account of her temple being located near the main crossing (chogan) of the village. It is believed by some people that she is the younger sister of the goddess Masani. This temple is stated to have been built by the sweepers of the village when they were not allowed accessto the temple of Masani Shri Mata. It is, however, now visited by all shades of visitor without any distinction of caste or sub-caste.

The Image of the goddess is of mixed metal with gold polish and weighs about 4 kilograms. It is kept in wooden casket which is placed on a small marble platform in the temple.
The statue remains in the possession of the pujari(priest) who moves it to the shrine only when it is needed. The main purpose for which the devotees come to pay homage and make offerings is to entreat the goddess to help them ward off smallpox. This purpose is achieved by requiring the people to visit the temple for the performance of important ceremonies. This is done by a ceremony known as JAL DEMA;the devotees spend a sleepless night at a temple chanting hymns and songs in honour of the goddess.
Infrastructure & Facilities available

* Satsang Bhawan for devotees : religeous programs, Yoga & meditation programs
* Bhandara Bhawan for devotees
* Singh Dwar-Administrative Block
* Prayar Hall for devotees
* Hospital, Post Office/ PCO near complex
* Local Guides are easily available near the complex
* Drinking water ( 6 water tanks )
* Sulbah Sauchalaya ( 15 Bath rooms & 41 toilets)
* Park available for devotees
Details of the Tourist Centre

Nearest major tourist centre and its distance :

* Shama Resturant, Civil Lines, Gurgaon
* Sultanpur lake, distance 7 km from temple.

Location & Rail/Road connectivity

Near Sector-5 Shri Mata Road.

* Nearest Airport : Indira Gandhi Indian Airport, New Delhi
* Nearest Railway : Gurgaon station.
* Nearest Bus stand : Gurgaon bus stand
* Distance from National Highway : 2 Km
* District : Gurgaon
* Local transport : Rickshaw stand and auto stand near main Post Office

The Indian Railways & Haryana Roadways authorites provide special trains and buses from Delhi to Gurgaon and back for the convenience of the pilgrims.

Establishment:

* Pujari round the clock for prayers : 9
* Sweepers for cleanliness : 14
* Chowkidars : 3
* Peons : 4
* Electrician / Driver / Clerk etc : 4
* Police Chowki ( Constable with Hawaldar) : 4