Sheetla Mata Mandir
Folktale & Sacred Story
According to temple tradition, Sheetla Mata is the deified form of Kripi, wife of Guru Dronacharya, who is said to have devoted herself to nursing children through smallpox and other fevers near her home outside Gurugram; after her death, villagers began worshipping her as Sheetla Mata, "the goddess of smallpox." A specific legend recounts that the ailing child of Begum Samru, an 18th-century Mughal-era governor, was reportedly cured of smallpox after being ritually consecrated before the Masani idol at Gurugram -- an event local tradition says cemented Gurugram's temple as the goddess's true seat.
Most Revered Practice
The temple's most important observance is Sheetla Ashtami (also called Basoda), falling in the Chaitra month after Holi; devotees offer the goddess pre-cooked ("basi") food rather than lighting a fresh kitchen fire that day, seeking her protection from disease, especially for children.
Prasadam & Offerings
Prasadam here is not a single fixed dish -- devotees typically offer and receive flowers, sweets, milk and cold water purchased from stalls around the temple; on Sheetla Ashtami specifically, offerings centre on basi khana (food cooked the previous day).
Temple Speciality
Sheetla Mata Mandir is known for its distinctive tiered, pyramid-shaped shikhara roof, a design quite different from most North Indian temples. It is one of the region's principal shrines to a healing goddess, with a temple history that local tradition traces to the Mahabharata era.
Why Pilgrims Visit
Devotees visit to seek Sheetla Mata's protection from illness and to pray for the health and wellbeing of children, a tradition especially visible during Navratri and Sheetla Ashtami.
History & Legend
An ancient shrine expanded significantly over the last two centuries, today one of the most visited Devi temples in the National Capital Region.
Divine Significance
Devotees pray to the goddess for protection from disease and for the wellbeing of children, especially during Navratri.
Darshan Timings
The temple is generally open daily from around 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, and stays open almost 24 hours during Navratri (please confirm exact timings with the temple before visiting, as they vary by season and festival).
How To Reach
Nearest airport: Indira Gandhi International, Delhi. Well connected by road/metro extension to Gurugram.
Where To Stay
Gurugram and Delhi offer hotels across every budget.
Local Food Nearby
The lanes around the temple in old Gurugram are lined with stalls selling prasad, sweets and snacks; for a fuller meal, the surrounding market area offers typical North Indian and Haryanvi vegetarian fare.
Contact & Official Info
Contact the Sheetla Mata Mandir management committee, Gurugram.
Recommended Reading
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