Travel guide to Sheetala Devi temple, how to reach and when to visit
This article is a travel guide if you are planning to visit Sheetala Devi Mandir located in Gurgaon. Read this article to know how to reach there, best time for a visit there, the highlights of the place and facilities provided by the temple authorities
Sheetala Devi temple is also known as the Shakti Peeth. According to Hindu beliefs here presides Mata Sheetala Devi the goddess who is believed to be the goddess of small pox. Mata Sheetala Devi temple is located near a pond and is located in the suburbs of Gurgaon about half a kilometer from the main road. It held great importance when small pox was prevalent in the country although it still holds great esteem in all parts of India
There is great rush to this temple during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April) and that too especially on Mondays. In other months too this temple received moderately high pilgrim footfall and the only off seasons for pilgrimage in this temple are the months of Shravana (July-August). This place is also a favored place among Hindus to get the first Mundan (complete shave-off of the head) of their young child.
The idol is made up of an alloy and has gold polish over it which gives it a dazzling effect. The temple is now very well developed and offers various religious facilities including Satsang Bhawan inside the hall which holds meditation classes, yoga and other religious programs possible in the hall.
If you are interested in its history or are looking to complete some special ritual then you can hire a guide available just outside the temple.
There are six water tanks for the pilgrims and also a park to rest.Festival in the name of Sheetla Devi
The temple and the nearby village folks celebrate Sheetala Ashtami which as those familiar with Hindi will know indicates the celebration in the honour of goddess Sheetala on the eight day of the bright half of Chaitra (March-April). The women of the nearby villages visit the temple in the morning and after ablutions give offerings to the idol which includes various dishes like rice, homemade sweets, cooked food and holy water mixed with milk. Several fairs are also organized on this occasion near the shrine where people celebrate in their own way by dancing, singing, selling, feasting and shopping.How to reach Sheetala Devi temple
By air- The nearest airport in the New Delhi airport
By railways- The nearest railway station is the Ballabgarh and Old Faridabad railway station
By road- After reaching Haryana through railways or by air you will need to take a bus or hire a private vehicle to reach the temple in Gurgaon
By Metro- You can directly reach Gurgaon from New Delhi or Faridabad by Metro. At the Gurgaon metro station it is a short ride to the temple.
