Sheetala Devi Temple

The state of Haryana has numerous temples scattered all over it. One very famous temple, which overshadows all the rest in terms of popularity, is the Sheetala Devi Temple. It is situated on a side of a beautiful pond at a village named Gurgaon in the state of Haryana. It is considered a lead-ing pilgrimage spot for the Hindus. It is also recognized as a Shakti Peeth and the worshipers al-most all round the year crowd the temple.

Innumerable pilgrims throng the temple during Chaitra, the Hindu month. With thousands of wor-shipers offering prayers, the temple premise reminds one of the Kumbh Mela. Mondays are con-sidered very auspicious in Chaitra month and the crowd is maximum on these days.

The idol of the goddess is carved out of an alloy and it is gold polished so that it gives a dazzling effect to the idol.

Devotees come to offer prayers to implore the goddess to protect them from serious disease, small-pox. The ceremony performed to get the Devi's blessings is known as 'Jal dema'.

The 'Mundan ceremony' is another important feature of the temple and many people come here to perform 'mundan' or shaving off the head of the son of the family, a religious ceremony of the Hindus.

The infrastructure of the temple really is worth mentioning. The facilities available in the temple of the Sheetala Devi are numerous. The Satsang Bhawan is a hall inside the temple premise where religious programs, meditation and Yoga programs are held. The other facilities obtained from the temple administration body are:

Bhandara Bhawan

Prayar Hall

Hospital in the vicinity

Post Office, which is close to the temple

Public Call Office near the temple complex

Local Guides who are available all the time near the temple

Drinking water facility with six water tanks

Park available for the visitors and

Singh Dwar, it is the Administrative Block