New Delhi, March 15: With the arrival of Chaitra Navratri, the atmosphere in temples dedicated to the goddess becomes vibrant. Preparations are underway across the country, with decorations being set up in various temples and fairs being organized in special locations. One such temple is located in Rajasthan, where the goddess is still appeasing a proud demon, and offerings are made to the demon before being presented to her. We are talking about the ancient Shitala Mata Temple in Pali, Rajasthan, renowned for curing skin diseases.
The Shitala Mata Temple, situated in the village of Bhatund in Pali district, is believed to be over 800 years old. Many miraculous stories surround this temple. Inside the sanctum, there is a four-armed idol of Goddess Shitala. Interestingly, in front of the idol stands a miraculous mortar that never fills up, even after several liters of water are poured into it. The mortar is one meter deep, yet it absorbs a significant amount of water.
According to the temple priest, the demon’s hunger is not satisfied, nor does the mortar fill up until milk is sprinkled on it. Local folklore suggests that whenever there was a wedding in the village, a demon named Babra would kill the groom. To protect the villagers from this demon’s tyranny, a Brahmin performed penance to please the goddess. The goddess blessed him and instructed him to arrange her daughter’s marriage, assuring him, “Get married, and I will come to slay the demon.”
Following the goddess’s command, the Brahmin did just that, and at the appointed time, the goddess defeated the Babra demon. Before dying, the demon begged for forgiveness at the goddess’s feet. The goddess forgave him but ordered that he be offered water and food twice a year, leading to fairs being held on Shitala Saptami and Jyeshtha Purnima. During these events, all the women of the village fill pots with water and pour it into the mortar to keep the demon appeased.
The fair begins before Navratri in the month of Chaitra and lasts for several days. On this occasion, millions of devotees climb the temple’s steep steps to seek the goddess’s blessings.
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