O
n March 23, when the results of the Bihar School Examination Board for Class 12 were announced, Kundan Kumar, a 20-year-old resident of Mathurapur village in Noorsarai town in Bihar, was thrilled. He had secured 65%, which meant he achieved a first division. His mother, Rekha Devi, 45, was overjoyed too, and handed him ₹1,000 to buy new books. A few days later, the family visited the Sheetla Mata temple in Maghra village of Nalanda district, about 10 kilometres away, to offer their prayers and celebrate Kundan’s success.
According to temple priest Shubham Kumar, 30, Sheetla Mata is considered an avatar of Goddess Durga in Hinduism, as mentioned in the religious text,Skanda Purana. The temple, spread over 1.5 acres, attracts devotees who believe that bathing in the cool waters of its pond can help cure skin diseases.
On March 31, the day Kundan’s family went to the temple, the crowd grew quickly. It was the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month in the Hindu calendar, believed to be a significant day for spiritual practices, particularly for worshipping Goddess Durga. Locals say that on any regular day, 500-1,000 devotees visit the temple. However, according to the police, more than 10,000 people had gathered for the special prayers that day.
