I was up a bit late today. We had to make sure that we made the last day in this city productive. Just after lunch, I headed off to the inner part of the city through the traffic of the markets and the bazaars in search of the Sheetala Mata Mandir. It is the premier temple and religious site for Hindus in the city. Many throng to the temple for prayers, and as luck would have it, we made it in time for the afternoon Arti.
I bought the customary coconut and prasad as offerings to the goddess and then walked further to reach the holy temple. It is one of the oldest temples in the city where both Shiv and Shakti are worshipped. It looks like any other Vedic temple. In the center is the Arti of the Mata, where the pujari performs the Arti every day as offerings is given to the goddess by her devotees. It is believed that the Mata was the kuldevi, and the temple was built by the Yadavs or the Bahars in her honor.
Sheetala Mata Dham Mandir, Jaunpur
The Mata devoted herself to looking after the sick children of her devotees, especially those suffering from smallpox. After she died, a temple was built in her honor. She was remembered by the villagers as Mata Masani, the goddess of smallpox.
The temple is 4 km from Jaunpur Junction and can be easily reached by auto or scooter. There is a central pond, also called a water kund, just behind the temple. Along with the central deity, there are idols of Ganesha and Bhagwan Satyanarayan as well. One can ring the large bells during the afternoon Arti as devotees sing bhajans in praise of Sheetala Mata, the goddess who cured their children of diseases, including smallpox.
