शीतला माता मंदिर

Shitala Devi embodies the power to soothe fevers, pox, and disease—once invoked during smallpox outbreaks, and today still honoured during Shitala Ashtami in spring . Here,  devotees make offerings of cold milk, curd, jaggery, neem leaves, and cooled foods—a ritual echo of folk wisdom that mirrored early disease prevention practices.  

The temple’s history ties closely to riverside devotion: the ghat was built in the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar and later maintained by the Maharaja of Bundi; the temple itself  dates from the mid-19th century, standing resilient amid both floods and faith.  

Beyond architecture, this shrine holds deep social meaning: as smallpox gave way to other ailments, Shitala’s role evolved—today, she’s invoked for relief from fevers and respiratory  distress, including tuberculosis.  

On Shitala Ashtami—the eighth lunar day in Chaitra, just after Holi—women perform the Basoda Puja, avoiding fresh cooking while preparing cold offerings and singing folk songs in her honour. Here, amid the scent of neem and bowls of cool curd, Shitala Mata Temple offers a living tradition—where ancient healing meets heartfelt faith, reminding every visitor that compassion can carry the quiet power to protect.