Dhamtari, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : The ancient Shitala Shakti Peeth in Sihawa, Dhamtari district, is witnessing an overwhelming surge of devotion during the Sharadiya Navratri festival. Devotees from Dhamtari and neighboring districts, as well as from various parts of India, including Odisha, are flocking to the temple to seek blessings from their revered deity, Maa Shitala.
Inside the temple grounds, numerous devotees have lit “manokamna jyoti” lamps, symbolizing their wishes and prayers. Special religious rituals and prayers are being conducted daily, and the temple management is providing food offerings to the visitors.
Many believe that Maa Shitala grants desires for children and alleviates their troubles. According to local beliefs, she blesses devotees by dropping flowers from her head. The people of Sihawa regard Maa Shitala as an incarnation of Mata Sita and worship her with great reverence.
Every year, thousands of couples visit the temple, hoping for the blessing of children. Additionally, devotees approach the goddess for solutions to life’s challenges, prosperity for their families, and blessings before commencing any auspicious activities.
The temple holds significant religious importance due to the belief that Maa Shitala manifested in a self-formed manner. Devotees express that visiting her shrine brings them spiritual peace, mental relief, and respite from life’s difficulties.
During Navratri, Shitala Shakti Peeth has become a focal point of faith, devotion, and local belief, with thousands of devotees engaging in worship amid chants of praise for the goddess.
Shailendra Kumar Kaushal, a devotee, shared with a news agency that he has been lighting lamps at the Shitala Shakti Peeth for nearly 22 years. He believes that Maa Bhagwati fulfills all their desires. The goddess is immensely revered, attracting visitors from various states who come to light lamps and seek blessings.
Another devotee, Tukaram, mentioned that the priest, Gyan Sagar, often hears the problems of the devotees. When they share their struggles, the priest prays to the goddess, asking her to help those who have traveled from afar. It is said that Maa Shitala blesses her devotees by dropping white flowers and rice from her head, fulfilling their wishes, including those longing for children.
Jyoti priest Narayan Prasad Pathak stated that while Maa Shitala is present in every village, the Sihawa goddess is unique as she is self-manifested. Her grace and the light of devotion ensure that no one leaves empty-handed, especially during the auspicious occasion of Navratri, which has drawn a large crowd of devotees.
Leave a Comment