Where the goddess cures fevered hearts and grants peace with a whisper
Just a few kilometers from the famed Chintpurni Temple, nestled in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh, the Sheetla Devi Temple is a sacred sanctuary dedicated to Goddess Sheetla, a healing incarnation of Durga. Revered as the cooling mother who cures disease and dispels fear, this temple is a spiritual balm for those seeking relief from physical and emotional afflictions.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Near Chintpurni, Una District, Himachal Pradesh – 177110
- Altitude: ~940 meters
- By Road: 43 km from Hoshiarpur, 2 km from Una Railway Station, 1.5 km from Una Bus Stand
- By Rail: Una Railway Station (~2.1 km)
- By Air: Gaggal Airport (~115 km) or Chandigarh Airport (~125 km)
- On Foot: A short walk from the main road through tree-lined paths and village lanes
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Sheetla Mata, a form of Goddess Durga who took on the role of a healer during a plague of incurable fevers. According to legend, when the demon Jwarasura spread disease across the land, the goddess assumed a cooling form to cure the afflicted. She is also associated with Katyayani Devi, and her divine companion Batuk Bhairav is worshipped here as well.
The goddess is worshipped in the form of three pindis, representing Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati.
Devotees offer red flags, coconuts, and sweets, and the temple is especially known for healing children, curing fevers, and fulfilling wishes of childless couples. Rituals include offering of cold water, neem leaves, and rice, and tying of chunris on sacred trees as a symbol of hope and gratitude.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The temple features a simple white-stone structure, with:
- Two large bells at the entrance
- A sanctum adorned with flowers and silver ornaments
- Carved walls and shaded courtyards surrounded by trees
- A peaceful ambiance, ideal for quiet prayer and reflection
The temple’s unpretentious design reflects the humility and healing grace of the goddess herself.
📜 Mythological Significance
In ancient times, when Jwarasura unleashed a wave of disease, Goddess Durga took the form of Sheetla Mata to bring relief. In some versions, Lord Shiva transformed into Bhairav to assist her in defeating the demon. The temple is believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, and its proximity to Chintpurni strengthens its spiritual gravity.
Devotees believe that tying a thread or chunri at the temple ensures the goddess’s protection from illness, especially for children.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Navratri: Celebrated with devta processions, bhajans, and community feasts
- Sheetla Ashtami (March–April): A special day when devotees offer cold food and water, honoring the goddess’s cooling power
- Daily Worship: Morning aarti at 6:00 AM, evening aarti at 6:00 PM
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Chintpurni Temple: A Shakti Peetha dedicated to Maa Chinnamastika
- Dera Baba Bharbhag Singh: A spiritual healing site in Mairi
- Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Amb: A riverside Shiva shrine with mythic origins
- Garli & Pragpur Villages: Heritage hamlets with colonial-era charm
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Sheetla Devi Temple is not just a shrine—it is a cooling breath in the fever of life, a place where mothers pray for their children, and the goddess listens with a healing touch. As you tie your prayer to the sacred tree, with the breeze rustling through neem leaves and the bells echoing softly, you feel the goddess’s grace settle like dew on your soul. It is a temple where worry melts, and the **spirit finds its calm.
