Destination Guide
Sheetala Mata Temple is located in Chaksu, Jaipur district, Rajasthan, about 40 km from Jaipur city. This ancient temple, believed to be around 500 years old, is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala Mata — the divine mother associated with healing, protection from skin diseases and pox, and the blessings of good health. The temple is situated atop Sheel Ki Dungri (hill) and is one of Rajasthan's most important goddess shrines.
Who is Sheetala Mata?
Sheetala Mata (literally "the cool mother") is a pan-Indian goddess worshipped primarily for protection from infectious diseases — historically smallpox, chickenpox, and similar ailments. She is depicted riding a donkey, carrying a broom (to clean illness), a pot of water (for cooling fever), and neem leaves (a traditional antiseptic). In Rajasthan, she is especially beloved as a kuldevi (clan goddess) and a protector of children.
The goddess is distinctively worshipped with cold (uncooked) food — offerings of cold rice, bread made the day before — as fire is associated with fever, the enemy of Sheetala Mata. This practice of offering "Basoda" (cold food) on Sheetala Ashtami is unique in all of Hindu worship.
Sheetala Ashtami — The Main Festival
Sheetala Ashtami, held on the eighth day after Holi (in March), is the most important festival at Chaksu. On this day, hundreds of thousands of devotees from Jaipur and surrounding districts make the pilgrimage to Chaksu. The tradition involves:
- Basoda: Devotees prepare food a day before (not cooked on festival day) and offer it to the goddess — a unique tradition of cold food offerings.
- Pilgrimage on foot: Many devotees walk the entire distance from Jaipur to Chaksu barefoot as a vow to the goddess.
- Temple darshan: Massive queues snake up the hill to the temple — the faithful wait patiently for their moment of darshan.
- Folk fair: The area around the temple fills with stalls, folk performances, and the atmosphere of a grand Rajasthani mela.
The Temple and Its Setting
The Sheetala Mata Temple sits on top of Sheel Ki Dungri hill, reached by a staircase of several hundred steps. The climb is considered part of the devotional practice — many devotees climb barefoot or even on their knees. From the top, the views over the flat Rajasthani plains are beautiful. The temple itself has a traditional Rajasthani style with a decorated sanctum and a tall flag mast.
How to Reach Chaksu
- From Jaipur: 40 km via Tonk Road (NH-12) — about 1 hour by car or bus.
- By bus: Regular RSRTC buses from Jaipur's Sindhi Camp bus stand to Chaksu.
- By train: Chaksu has a small railway station on the Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur line.
If you are visiting Jaipur on our Rajasthan Tour, we can arrange a visit to Chaksu's Sheetala Mata Temple. Contact us at +91 7240026380 to customize your Rajasthan pilgrimage.
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