Shri Sheetala Devi Temple is one of the major Hindu pilgrimages in India. This temple is also known as a `Shakti Peeth` and is dedicated to Mata Sheetala Devi. The idol of Mata Sheetala Devi is made up of metal and coated with gold. The temple is visited by the devotees throughout the year except in the month of July to August, which is the Hindu month of Shravana.

Location of Shri Sheetala Devi Temple
The temple is located at Gurgaon in the culturally and historically rich state of Haryana. The temple is situated near a holy pond. Gurgaon is a suburb of Guru Dronacharya`s birthplace.

History of Shri Sheetala Devi Temple
There are a number of legends connected with the present temple of Shri Mata Sheetala Devi. According to one legend, a poor carpenter living in Farukh Nagar had a beautiful daughter of marriageable age. The Mughal ruler of the time had heard of her unspeakable beauty and he expressed his desire to marry the girl. The carpenter was not agreeing to marry her daughter to some other religion and so he appealed to King Surajmal of Bharatpur. The matter was outside his jurisdiction and so he refused to interfere. The carpenter was worried. While returning home he met with Prince of Bharatpur and had a talk with him. The Prince assured him to have a talk with his father King Surajmal. But all went in vain. As a result, the Prince revolted against his father. He went to attack Delhi. On his way, he passed through Gurgaon and pledged to Shri Mata Sheetala Devi to build a temple in her honour if he would return victorious. The Prince won and then he built the temple.

Another legend describes that Prince Bharatpur and his army while proceeding towards Delhi had rested at Ballabhgarh. The horses refused to move any further. The court astrologer was called upon to explain the strange behaviour of the horses. He found that the Prince and his army had paid no obeisance to the Goddess after entering Gurgaon. This had angered Her. The Prince, hearing this, had arranged an elaborate worship of the Goddess and then the horses started moving. The Prince then pledged that he would build a temple on his victorious return.

The third legend describes that on a pilgrimage to Pushkar, there took place a verbal fight between the Queen and the King of Bharatpur. They were arguing on who would first jump into the waters. The man finally took over and it resulted to King Bharatpur attacking the King of Ajmer. The latter was defeated. The Queen was thrilled and urged the King to build the Shri Mata Sheetala Devi Temple and King Bharatpur and Chaudhary Jawahar Singh sanctified the idol made of eight metals in this temple.

Ceremonies of Shri Sheetala Devi Temple
The ceremony that is celebrated at this temple with great veneration is the `Mundan Ceremony`. A section of the visitors come to the temple for the first hair cutting ceremony or `mundan ceremony` of their children. They offer the crop of hair at the altar of Goddess.

The other important occasion celebrated in the temple is the `Sheetala Mata Ki Mela` or `Mela Masani Shri Mata`. This goddess is believed to help her devotees to ward off smallpox. This is done by a ceremony known as `Jal Dema`. The devotees have to pass a sleepless night at the temple chanting hymns and songs in honour of the goddess.

Connectivity of Shri Sheetala Devi Temple
The temple can be accessed by air, train and road. The closest airport is IGI airport. The nearest railway station is Gurgaon Railway station and closest metro station is Iffco Chowk Metro station. Road is also well connected; one can travel by buses or hire Auto Rickshaw.