Shri Sheetala Mata Mandir, Haryana

Shri Sheetala Mata Mandir (Masani Temple)also referred to as ‘Shakti Peeth is a famous temple located one and a half kilometers in the residential areas of Gurugram near an attractive pond. The presiding goddess of the temple is Shri Mata Sheetla Devi also known by the names Bhagat Lalita Ma and Masani Ma is the avatar of Goddess Durga. The word Sheetala describes the illness of smallpox and it is considered that the person struggling with this illness will be definitely recovered by wishing to Sheetla Devi.

History & Importance

The Sheetla Mata temple is devoted to the wife of Guru Dronacharya, Kripi/Kirpai, also called Lalitha. Kirpai, also called Lalita and eventually, Mata Sheetla, used to reside in Keshopur town located in the close-by Union Territory of Delhi. Her husband(Dronacharya) used to visit her every day at Keshopur from his Gurugram ashram.

She dedicated herself to taking care of the ill kids, specifically those struggling with smallpox. People called her Mata (Mother) out of love and regard. After her death, a temple was constructed in her honor by the villagers and she started to be remembered as Mata Sitla or Mata Masani, i.e. ‘the goddess of smallpox.

The legend goes that even after Singha had brought and placed the goddess, Masani, after her own heart’s desire, in the town of Gurgaon, the citizens of Keshopur continued to dispute the claims of Gurgaon people. This debate was put at rest throughout the time of Begum Samru, the Governor of Jharsa under the Mughals. Her kid who had contracted smallpox was treated after being consecrated in the prescribed manner prior to the goddess Masani at Gurgaon. It was then developed that the goddess had started to live in the town of Gurugram.

The present temple was constructed in the 18th century by the Hindu Jat king Jawahar Singh of Bharatpur, in memory of his success over the Mughals, for which he had evoked the true blessings of Sheetla Mata.

There is a legend about this temple. There was a temple, sanctified to the goddess Devi, regionally considered as Masani at the town of Kesopur in the Delhi district. Some 2 hundred and fifty years ago according to culture, the Goddess appeared in a dream to one Singha, a Jat of some influence and a citizen in the town of Gurugram. The Devi interacted with Singha that she wanted to leave Kesopur and directed him to build a temple for her in his town. At the very same time, she authorized the lucky Singha to appropriate all the offerings at her temple. The orders of the goddess were quickly carried out. The temple was constructed and flourished, its popularity spreading out everywhere.

Architecture

It is localized on a relatively narrow roadway, the temple stretches over a big location. Located on the primary roadway, the temple does not have a vehicle parking place. Outside the entrance leading to the premises of the temple, there are 2 stores selling things for religious offerings where they have bundles covered in a basket & priced in a different way, prepared to be sold to the pilgrims.

A concrete course leads you inside the premises of the temple when you get in the gate. The entryway is broad enough to manage the rush that crowds the temple during the festivals. Even more up, a curved structure stands midway & is lined with properly maintained yards on one end & the other end hosts a tiny structure housing other divine beings. The plants have also been positioned in risen platforms surrounded by concrete which acts as a relaxing place for the pilgrims.

The temple, within, is constructed like a big corridor leading to the big corridor & a little space offers a look at the major idol & the seating location for the pilgrims. The narrow path surrounded by railings results in the location that houses Sheetla Mata. The goddess is surrounded by space & the pilgrims can not go near it however can offer their prayers from a window-like design constructed at a range from the idol.

Idol

One takes a look at the deity and remains mesmerized. It is completed in gold polish & is decorated with valuable gems, and gorgeous clothing & the big gold nose ring improves the idol who is seated in a silver-polished curved structure. Hindu priests take your offerings & provide you with Parshad (religious offering of food).

The temple also places other gods like Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, Shani Dev & Goddess Durga.

Festivals

The temple is thronged by a large number of devotees all throughout the year, specifically on Mondays during the Hindu month of Chaitra (i.e. in March and April). Devotees visit this temple generally to perform the mundan (very first shaving off the heads) event of their kids and provide the crop of hair at the altar of the goddess. People suffering from smallpox carry out a routine called ‘Jal dema’ by spending an entire night in the temple, chanting hymns and tunes in honor of the goddess. Couples also visit here to get the true blessings of the goddess for a happy married life. The yearly Masani Fair celebrated here is a major draw attended by countless devotees from far and near.

How to Reach

• By Air: The nearby Airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport and it is well connected with regular domestic flights.
• By Train: The nearby Railway Station to the temple is IFFCO Chowk.
• By Road: Tourists can take local buses from various points within the city to reach this Temple, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis.

Temple Timings

5:00 AM To 9:00 PM

Temple Video