A revered siddhapeeth honouring the Sapta Matrikas, offering devotees a place of deep shakti worship near the sacred ghats.
Shri Saptamatrika Siddhapeeth Shri Bari Shitladham
Our team will gladly guide you on the pujas and arrangements available at Shri Saptamatrika Siddhapeeth Shri Bari Shitladham. Reach out to the Samiti and we will help you plan your puja and your visit.
Office hours 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
In the sacred city of Kashi, where temples and shrines have formed a living network of pilgrimage for generations, Shri Saptamatrika Siddhapeeth Shri Bari Shitladham holds a special place in the devotional tradition of Shri Shitala Mata.
Situated in the historic Shitala Ghat area near Dashashwamedh, the temple is part of one of the most spiritually significant landscapes of Varanasi. Shitala Ghat takes its name from the temple, and historical accounts place the shrine within the long religious development of this part of the Ganga riverfront. The present temple and surrounding ghat have passed through different stages of development and restoration over time.
Shri Shitala Mata is traditionally worshipped as a compassionate and protective form of the Divine Mother. Devotees approach Mata with prayers for family well-being, peace, protection, and relief from suffering. Her worship has a particularly strong place in North Indian devotional traditions, with Shitala Ashtami being one of the important occasions associated with her worship.
The sacred character of the temple is also reflected in the wider temple complex. Historical documentation records other important shrines within the Shitala temple compound, including Dashashvamedheshvara and Dashahareshvara, along with shrines associated with Durga, Kali, Annapurna, Santoshi Mata, Umamaheshvara, Bhairava, and Rama. This reflects the characteristic sacred landscape of Kashi, where several forms of divine worship may exist together within one temple precinct.
The wider tradition of Kashi is deeply connected with the worship of the Divine Mother. The Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana describes an extensive sacred geography of Kashi containing numerous forms and manifestations of Devi. The Matrika tradition is an important part of this larger sacred landscape. However, the exact history of the present-day Shitala temple should be understood through its own temple tradition and historical development rather than attributing every detail directly to the Kashi Khanda.
Today, Shri Bari Shitladham continues to be a place where devotees come with simple and heartfelt prayers. Some visit as part of their pilgrimage through Kashi, while others come with their families to offer Darshan and seek the blessings of Shri Shitala Mata.
The temple is managed under the guidance of Shri Mahant Acharya Pandit Shiv Prasad Pandey, who has a dedicated role in maintaining the temple's worship, traditions, and devotional activities. Under his guidance, the sacred character of the temple continues to be served with devotion and responsibility.
A visit to Shri Bari Shitladham is not simply a visit to another temple of Kashi. It is an opportunity to pause, pray, and experience one of the living traditions of Devi worship that continues within the sacred city.
We warmly welcome you to Shri Bari Shitladham in Kashi. Come for Darshan, bring your heartfelt prayers, and offer your Sankalp before Shri Shitala Mata with Shraddha and devotion.
Shri Shitala Mata holds an important place in traditional Hindu devotional practice. Her name is associated with the idea of coolness, calmness, and relief, and devotees traditionally approach her with prayers for protection, family welfare, peace, and relief from suffering.
The worship of Shitala developed within wider Hindu traditions and has a particularly strong devotional presence across North India. Traditional practices associated with her worship include prayers, offerings, and observances connected with Shitala Ashtami.
Kashi itself has a vast tradition of Goddess worship. The Kashi Khanda describes numerous sacred forms of Devi throughout the city and presents Kashi as a place where different manifestations of divine power are worshipped.
The Shitala temple's position beside the Ganga adds another dimension to its sacred setting. Devotees can combine Darshan at the temple with prayer along the holy riverfront and visits to other sacred places of Kashi.
The spiritual significance of the temple ultimately lies not only in its history or location, but in the continuing relationship between devotee, deity, prayer, and sacred place.
Devotees may come with a personal Sankalp, family prayer, or simply the desire to spend a few peaceful moments before Shri Shitala Mata.
Peace & Devotion – Spend a quiet moment in sacred surroundings and offer your prayers before Shri Shitala Mata with a calm and devotional heart.
Family Well-Being – Devotees traditionally visit Mata with prayers for the welfare, peace, protection, and happiness of their families.
Protection & Strength – Worshippers approach Shri Shitala Mata with sincere prayers for protection, courage, and spiritual strength during difficult periods.
Relief from Suffering – Traditional Shitala worship includes prayers for relief from suffering and affliction, approached as devotional prayer rather than a guaranteed outcome.
Spiritual Connection – Darshan provides an opportunity to deepen one's personal connection with the Divine Mother through prayer, remembrance, and devotion.
Auspicious Pilgrimage – Visiting Shri Bari Shitladham allows devotees to experience another important part of the living sacred landscape of Kashi.
A visit to Shri Bari Shitladham begins with the atmosphere of old Kashi. Located near the Ganga and the historic Dashashwamedh area, the temple forms part of a sacred landscape where pilgrimage, worship, and daily life come together.
As you enter the temple, take a moment to leave behind the pace of everyday life and approach the shrine with a peaceful mind.
Devotees may offer their prayers to Shri Shitala Mata, seek blessings for their families, and spend time in quiet remembrance.
The temple complex also contains other sacred shrines, allowing devotees to experience multiple traditions of worship within the same sacred precinct.
For many pilgrims, the experience is not simply about visiting one temple. It becomes part of a wider journey through Kashi — visiting the Ghats, offering prayers, experiencing the Ganga, and discovering the many sacred traditions preserved throughout the city.
We encourage every devotee to maintain the sanctity of the temple, respect the local customs, and follow the instructions provided at the temple.
Reach Shitala Ghat – The temple is in the Shitala Ghat area beside Dashashwamedh Ghat; the last stretch is on foot through the lanes or along the ghats.
Prepare for darshan – Footwear is removed before entering. Follow the instructions and customary practices observed at the temple.
Darshan and prayer – Offer your prayers and your Sankalp before Shri Shitala Mata, and take darshan of the other shrines within the temple precinct.
Plan your visit – The Samiti can guide you on the pujas and arrangements available at the temple.
4:00 AM - 11:00 PM DAILY
Temple Name: Shri Saptamatrika Siddhapeeth Shri Bari Shitladham
Deity: Shri Shitala Mata
Location: Shitala Ghat area, near Dashashwamedh Ghat, Kashi, Varanasi
Tradition: Devi / Shitala worship
Important Festival: Shitala Ashtami
Temple Management: Under the guidance and management of Shri Mahant Acharya Pandit Shiv Prasad Pandey
Nearby Sacred Area: Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Ganga riverfront
Temple Complex: The wider temple precinct includes additional shrines associated with Shiva, Devi, Bhairava, and other sacred traditions.
Visitor Note: Temple timings, entry arrangements, offerings, photography rules, and festival-day procedures may change. Devotees should follow the instructions and customary practices observed at the temple.
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