Shitalashtami

Religious observance celebrated on the
eighth day of the bright (waxing) half
of the lunar month of Baisakh
(April–May), in honor of the goddess
Shitala. In northern India this festival
632
Shishupala
falls at the advent of the hottest time
of year; the climate thus mirrors the
heat and fevers brought on by contact
with Shitala herself, in her form as
smallpox. Although Shitala is conceived
as spiteful and jealous, she cannot be
ignored, since this will be sure to
provoke her wrath.