Sheetla Mata Shrine on he top of
Doongri hillock in the village of Seel-ki-Doongri, which is 5 km
from Chaksu, the district headquarters and 35 km from Jaipur, in
Rajasthan.
Significance:
It is held in the honor of the
deity Sheetla Mata (Goddess of epidemic diseases such as measles and
chicken pox).
Time of Celebration:
For a week in the month of
Chaitra (according to the Hindu calendar), which falls generally
during March or April.
It is said that if the wrath of Sheetla Mata is
let loose, then epidemics spread. This fair is held to make offerings
and worship the deity to please her and keep her pacified. In the
shrine, a red stone represents the deity. Thousands of pilgrims visit
the fair and it is customary to cook one's own food and eat it only
after offering the food to the deity in the shrine. A small cattle fair
is also organized where rewards are given to the breeders who have the
best quality of livestock. Rural people can be seen trading over shoes,
clothes, food, utensils and agricultural implements.
