The Varanasi Heritage Dossier/Shitala Ghat
Detailed description of each heritage Site - Durga Ghat to Phuta Ghat
Location
edit25º 19.028’ North and 83º 00.197’ East (Shitala Devi temple, K 20/ 19). 2. Exact location on a map: Bundi Parkota and Shitala Ghats are downstream from the river. 3. Area (in ha) of proposed property: 0.02ha (three separate properties)
Historical/cultural/natural significance
editTill the early 20th century, the Bundi Parkota Ghat extended up to (Adi) Shitala ghat, but later, the portion in close affinity to Shitala was named after her, i.e. Shitala Ghat. This extended part of the Bundi Parkota ghat was also built by King ‘Hada’ in ca 1580. Later on, in 1772, the ghat was repaired by Narayana Diskita. In the early 19th century, the king of Bundi, Raja Rao Pritam Singh, rebuilt and repaired this ghat.
In 1958, the government of Uttar Pradesh repaired the two ghats and set out the nameplates. It is believed that the image of Shitala is the original image of Nageshvari (“Goddess of snakes”). There are three goddess images on the same altar, vis. Narayani, Shitala and Nageshvari. Karnaditya Tirtha and Sankha Madhava are other puranic sacred spots. There are also some Sati stones in the vicinity.
Description and History
editLike the other Shitala temples, on every 8th light-half of the months of Caitra, Vaishakha and Ashadha (March-July), festivities occur in honour of the mother goddess. The worship of Shitala (“coolness”) has an ancient history in Bengal. She is worshipped in the hope that she will preserve her worshippers from skin diseases like small and chicken poxes. Where there is an old shrine of Shitala, there should certainly be nima, margosa (Melia azadirachta). The name is a strong herbal tree that provides coolness to the victim of small and chicken poses. It is still very commonly used in herbal or alternative medicine. Shitala is the goddess of that healing spirit. That is how her worship helps to awaken the natural spirit for the well-being of the devotees. The soft branches of nima are also used as truth brushes in most parts of the village in India.
Present state of conservation
editExcept for the temple trust and the local public organisations, which work in their ways, there are no specific action plans, programmes, or strategies for conserving and preserving the ghats.
Specific measures being taken for conserving the specific property
editIt is expected that by supporting active people participation, awareness to save the age-old rich heritage, and development under the Master Plan (and its judiciary control), the ghat heritage will be protected and conserved for the better benefit of the society.
Ownership
editTheir Temple Trusts own the temple; the Municipal Corporation manages the ghat area.