India, Sept. 30 -- A veggie seller is dragging his cart along the lane. He stops on reaching a tiraha trisection, turns towards a corner temple, reverently joining his palm into a posture of prayer-see photo.

The historic Chirag Dehli village is well-known for its centuries-old Sufi dargah of Hazrat Chirag Nasiruddin Roshan Dehlavi-the saint gives his name to the village. But the south Delhi neighbourhood harbours also other centres of pilgrimage. Just outside the village's gateway rises the tall spire of Shiv Mandir. A short distance within the gateway is the aforementioned temple of "Maa Sheetala."

This is the shrine of a goddess who is said to ward off small pox, as well as other fevered diseases, especially among the children. Indee...