Nari Semari Devi Temple is located in the Chhata area of Mathura, along the Delhi-Agra National Highway. A well-known miracle at the temple is the Chadar Aarti, performed during the Teej festival. In this aarti, lamps made of flour are used. The flames from these lamps are moved underneath a white cotton sheet (chadar), held tightly at four corners by Dhandhu Bhagat’s descendants.
The burning flame is moved back and forth under the sheet,
and amazingly, the sheet never catches fire. This unique ritual is what makes
the Chadar Aarti so special.
According to local beliefs, a devotee of Nagarkot Devi from
Himachal Pradesh, named Dhandhu Bhagat, wanted to bring the goddess to his
hometown, Agra. Pleased with his devotion, the goddess agreed to go with him on
one condition: "I will walk behind you. If you turn around to look, I will
remain at the spot and won’t go any further."
Dhandhu Bhagat accepted the condition. However, when he
reached Nari village in Mathura, he noticed the sound of the goddess’s anklets
had stopped. Out of doubt, he turned around to check whether she was still
following him. The moment he looked back, the goddess stopped and became
permanently installed at that very spot.
Since then, she has been worshipped at this location.
The shrine is also famous for Lathi Puja (stick puja) heldon the last day of Chaitra Navratri festival.