Uncover the profound healing power of Goddess Sitala in North India’s rich tapestry of devotion and medicine. This compelling study examines the ‘smallpox goddess’, reimagining her as a maternal protector against historical and contemporary threats. Delve into extensive fieldwork and textual analysis of Sanskrit, Hindi, and Bengali sources, exploring diverse ritual practices, devotional songs, and offerings central to Indian culture. Essential for scholars, students of South Asian studies, and enthusiasts of Indian religion and folk medicine, this book illuminates enduring spiritual traditions and their adaptability.