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Worshipping the God of Smallpox, India
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Worshipping the God of Smallpox, India
Under the Hindu faith, if you want protection against getting smallpox, pray to Shitala, the Goddess of Smallpox
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Media ID 4431141
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10280457
Arched Beliefs Common Disease Faith Goddess Hindu Hinduism Porch Pray Prevention Protection Shrine Small Pox Worship Worshipping
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the profound devotion and faith of the Indian people as they seek protection from the dreaded smallpox disease. Taken in 1915, the image portrays a bustling temple porch in India, where worshippers have gathered to pay homage to Shitala, the Hindu Goddess of Smallpox. The arched entrance, adorned with intricate carvings and colorful garlands, leads to the shrine where the deity is enshrined. The common belief among Hindus is that Shitala, the goddess of smallpox, is also the goddess of smallpox prevention. During outbreaks of the disease, people would flock to her temples to offer their prayers and seek her blessings for immunity and protection. The faith in Shitala's power to prevent smallpox was so strong that even the British colonial rulers, who had introduced vaccination as a modern medical solution, acknowledged the role of the goddess in the minds of the Indian people. The scene in the photograph is a testament to the deep-rooted beliefs and traditions of the Indian people, who continue to seek divine intervention in times of need. The worshippers, with their hands folded in prayer and their eyes closed in devotion, exude a sense of peace and tranquility, despite the fear and uncertainty that smallpox brought to their lives. The historical significance of this image lies in its portrayal of the enduring power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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