Legend says that Rishi Sharadwaan had two children. Thinking that the two would disturb him in his worship he leaves them in the the jungle. Bheeshm's father, King Shaantanu, comes across the two children and recognizes them as Rishi's children as they were lying on reeds on a deer skin and a bow and arrow was also kept near them. The King took them with him and looked after them. On hearing this, Rishi Sharadwan came and collects the children from the king. As the children grew under the kindness (Kripaa) of King Shaantanu, the daughter was named as Kripee and the son as Kripaachaarya. Kripee was married to Guru Dronaachaarya and she was made to stay on the banks of the pond at Gudgaaon, while the Guru was staying in Hastinaapur training the Kaurav and Paandav. Kripee due to her penance, became a mother like figure to all. Later this Kripee became Maataa Sheetalaa Devee.

Sheetalaa Maataa's Temple
There is a Sheetalaa Maataa Mandir in Gudgaaon village, a suburb of Gurgaon (Guru Dronaachaarya's birth place), in the state of Hariyaanaa. The presiding deity of this temple is Maataa Sheetalaa Devee. This is also referred to as Shakti Peeth. Maataa Sheetalaa Devee is also called as Bhagat Lalitaa Maa and Masaanee Maa. In fact the word Sheetalaa refers to the disease smallpox. And it is believed that if this deity is invoked with faith, she dispels the disease. Situated near a pond, this temple witnesses hordes of pilgrims throughout the year, except during the month of Shraavan (July-August). During the month of Chaitra (March-April), this place resembles like Kumbh-Mela. A section of the visitors come for the Mundan ceremony (the first hair cutting ceremony) of their children and offer the crop of hair at the altar of goddess. Among other visitors married couples also come to invoke the blessings of the goddess for a happy married life.

This Temple is famous for its miracles. Some 5000 years ago, the only son of King Puranjeet was brought to the temple with paralysis. For around 15-16 days the child was gently wrapped in the mud from the pond and with the blessings of the Devee, the child got well.