Shitala Ghat is crowned by a small whitewashed temple in which Shitala Mata is worshipped. In 18th century AD, Queen of Indore Ahilya Bai Holkar constructed a ghat
at the southern-most side of Dashashwamedh Ghat. Till the beginning of 19th century AD, present day Shitala Ghat remained part of Dashashwamedh Ghat of Varanasi.
Mid 19th century, Shitala Mata Temple was built on it and this part of erstwhile Dashashwamedh Ghat had been termed as Shitala Ghat, a new ghat. Shitala Ghat was
refurbished at a large scale by Maharaja of Bundi. Though from architectural perspective the Shitala Mata temple and ghat are not unique but, from religious and
cultural perspective, they have tremendous significance. While in wrath, Goddess Shitala, sent by creator god Lord Brahma, inflicts people with chicken pox and small
pox. The idea is not so much to avert smallpox altogether as to secure the favor of the goddess and thus escape lightly. So, to keep her calm and cool, she is worshipped
with cold liquid like milk. Especially at the time of Shitalashtami festival, devotees throng in horde to offer prayer. There are four small Shiva temples on Shitala Ghat.