https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=OladeviOladevi - Revision history2026-09-07T12:07:05ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oladevi&diff=145533&oldid=previmported>Redtigerxyz: Adding short description: "Goddess of cholera from Bengal" (Shortdesc helper)2021-06-19T12:07:24Z<p>Adding <a href="https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Bharatpedia:Short_description" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Short description">short description</a>: "Goddess of cholera from Bengal" (<a href="https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Bharatpedia:Shortdesc_helper" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Shortdesc helper">Shortdesc helper</a>)</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Goddess of cholera from Bengal}}<br />
{{Culture of Bengal}}<br />
'''Oladevi''' is the [[goddess]] of [[cholera]] and is worshipped by people in the region of [[Bengal]] (consisting of the country [[Bangladesh]] and the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]]) and [[Marwar]]. The goddess is also known as '''Olaichandi''', '''Olabibi''' and '''Bibima'''. She is venerated by Hindus and Muslims of Bengal.<br />
<br />
She is also worshipped in [[Rajasthan]] as Maa [[Shitala]], saving her devotees from diseases like [[cholera]], [[jaundice]], [[diarrhoea]] and other stomach related diseases. She is called Ori Mata. In [[Marwari people|Marwari]] tradition, she has no fixed iconography but generally she is depicted like [[Shitala]].<br />
<br />
Oladevi is an important part of [[folk tradition]] in Bengal, and is honoured by communities of different religions and cultures.<ref name="VI">[http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Oladevi Oladevi - Banglapedia]</ref><ref name="BI">[http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/39.htm Islam in Bangladesh]</ref><ref name="FW">Ralph W. Nicholas. ''Fruits of Worship: Practical Religion in Bengal''. Page 205. [[Orient Longman]], 2003. {{ISBN|81-8028-006-3}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Deity==<br />
Oladevi is believed to be the wife of [[Mayasura]], the legendary king and [[architect]] of Asuras, [[Danava (Hinduism)|Danava]]s, and [[Daitya]]s in mythology folktales.<ref name="VI"/> Devotees consider her to be the guardian deity against the [[cholera]] disease, protecting those who worship her against the disease, which plagued communities across Bengal.<ref name="VI"/> Indeed, the [[Bengali language|Bengali]] term for cholera is ''ola-otha'' or ''ola-utha'', a reference to the name ''Ola'' ("Ola" means going downwards & ''utha'' means going upwards in Bengali to indicate loose motion & vomiting of cholera).<br />
<br />
To [[Hindus]], Oladevi is the combined form of the Goddess [[Parvati]], portrayed as a lady with deep yellow skin wearing a blue ''[[sari]]'' and adorned with ornaments. She is portrayed with extended arms and seated with a child in her lap.<ref name="VI"/> The [[Muslims]] of Bengal call her ''Olabibi'' or ''Bibima'' from ''Olabibi Gan'' (''Song of Olabibi''), which recounts the story of the child of a [[virgin]] Muslim princess that disappeared mystically and reappeared as the Goddess, curing the sons of the minister of the kingdom and the ''badshah'', the father of her mother.<ref name="FW"/> She is portrayed wearing a cap, scarf and ornaments. On her feet she wore nagra shoes and sometimes also socks. In one hand she held a magical staff that destroyed the ailments of her devotees.<ref name="VI"/><br />
<br />
==Social influence==<br />
Oladevi is an important figure in the [[folk tradition]]s of Bengal and is considered by experts as a [[superimposition]] of the Hindu concept of the [[Adi Parashakti|Mother Divine]] with the stern monotheistic Islamic deity, [[Allah]].<ref name="BI"/> The worship of Oladevi as the Goddess of Cholera is believed to have emerged in the 19th century [[Common Era|CE]] with the spreading of the disease in the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name="CA">[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060703/asp/calcutta/story_6427987.asp The Cool Goddess]</ref> The importance of Oladevi extends across communal lines and [[Indian caste system|caste barriers]].<ref name="VI"/> However, the significance of her worship has diminished in modern times as outbreaks of cholera have been reduced considerably by advancements in medicine and sanitation.<ref name="VI"/><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
* [[Chandi]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{Hindu deities and texts}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hinduism in Bangladesh]]<br />
[[Category:Islam in Bangladesh]]<br />
[[Category:Bengali culture]]<br />
[[Category:Regional Hindu goddesses]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu folk deities]]<br />
[[Category:Health goddesses]]</div>imported>Redtigerxyz