Historic Sheetala Devi Temple Barad, Mudkhed, Nanded

In the Hindu religion, various ideologies, sects, and methods of worship are prevalent. Often, the same deity is worshipped by devotees from different regions or sects under different names. In the village of Barad in the Mudkhed taluka of Nanded district, there is a temple of the Goddess where the deity is worshipped as Pochamma by people from Telangana and Karnataka, while devotees from Maharashtra worship her as Shitala Devi. This ancient temple of the Goddess is famous, and there is a firm belief among devotees that the awakened Goddess here fulfills their vows.

It is said that this current site of the Goddess dates back 350 years. In the copper plates available regarding this temple, there is a mention that this temple stands on an area of about 14 gunthas. It is believed that the Goddess here is the sister of Dhurpat May Devi of Chandrapur. Many legends are prevalent regarding Shitala Devi. According to one legend, the Goddess cursed King Virat with smallpox. However, when the King sought forgiveness, the Goddess was pleased and freed the King and the citizens of the kingdom from the disease. Shitala Devi emerged from the fire of the sacrificial altar (Yajna-kunda) and is the Goddess of cleanliness and health. The Goddess here is also addressed as Pochamma. Pochamma Devi is the wife of Mahamuni. Mahamuni is considered the guardian deity of plants, animals, birds, and insects.

There is a welcome arch on the path leading to the temple. On both sides of the road, there are platforms with circular ornate pillars, and an arched gateway connects these pillars. The base of the pillars is circular and wider, featuring a lotus flower replica. At the top of the pillars is a lotus capital, and above it, on a square block, is the arched gateway, which forms the structure of the welcome arch. The arch is carved with relief-style designs of leaves, flowers, lotus, and wheels. Along the road from here to the temple, there are shops on both sides selling worship materials and various items.

There is a great tree beside the temple. Its vast branches appear to hold a canopy over the temple. The temple is structured with a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The construction of the temple is very simple. The construction here has been done with cement concrete in recent times. The Sabha Mandap has two entrances, one in front and one on the left side. The Sabha Mandap is semi-open in nature. There are half-walls around the Sabha Mandap. Images of various deities are placed on these walls. Along the half-walls, there are stone benches for devotees to sit. There are eight square pillars within the half-walls of the Sabha Mandap. The roof of the temple rests on the beams supported by these pillars. On the right side of the Sabha Mandap, there is a semi-open shrine chamber. It contains seven Matrika idols in relief style. In these idols, crafted in a rural sculptural style, ornaments like armlets are carved. The idol in the center is taller, and the idols on both sides are smaller. Baskets are kept on the platform in front of the shrine chamber. Devotees offer flour, chili, salt, grains, etc., in them. The Garbhagriha has entrances on all three sides. In front of the front entrance, the Utsava Murti (processional idol) of the Goddess is kept on a table. During times of crowds, devotees have darshan here. The Garbhagriha has four square pillars and a roof above them. Brass bells are hung from the ceiling. On a Vajrapitha (throne) in the niche against the wall, there is a self-manifested (Swayambhu) stone idol of the Goddess. On both sides of the Goddess, there are stone idols of two other deities each. All the idols have silver crowns on their heads. There is a silver canopy over the head of Shitala Devi. There is a circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg) around the Garbhagriha. Along the circumambulation path, behind the Garbhagriha, there are stone idols of local deities. There is a tradition of lighting lamps here. On the circumambulation path, on all three sides, food offerings prepared by devotees at home for the Goddess are placed.

After exiting through the door on the left side of the Sabha Mandap, one can reach the well located beside the temple. It is said that Shitala Devi resides in this well. This well, which has a circular stone structure, has been enclosed by placing a tin roof over it. Devotees worship the well with devotion, place offerings (Prasad) here, and light lamps. Beside the well, there is an ancient Shiva Linga. Under the great tree ahead, there is a stone idol of a local deity. Devotees offer food Prasad here as well. Since the Goddess has a fondness for cool substances, milk, curd, and cold food are offered. Vows are made to offer various body parts to the Goddess for physical ailments, and there is a tradition of offering silver replicas of those parts once the vow is fulfilled. Also, live roosters are offered to the Goddess.

Chaitra Navratri and especially Shitala Shashthi are considered the main days for the darshan of the Goddess. Large fairs are held here for fifteen days from the full moon (Purnima) to the new moon (Amavasya) in the months of Chaitra and Ashadha. During this time, various religious programs such as Maha-abhishek, Bhajan, Kirtan, and Jagaran are organized in the temple. Thousands of devotees from the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka come for the darshan of the Goddess and to fulfill their vows. Devotees who come for the fair of Dhurpat Devi of Chandrapur make it a point to visit this Goddess. The temple sees a crowd of thousands of devotees for darshan on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery