In honor of the goddess Shitala, a religious observance is
held on the eighth day of the bright (waxing) half of the lunar month Baisakh
(April–May).
This event occurs in northern India at the start of the
warmest season, mirroring the heat and fevers brought on by contact with
Shitala herself, in her shape as smallpox.
Shitala is portrayed as nasty and envious, yet she cannot be
ignored since doing so would always incite her fury.
