Badi Mata

Badi Mata is a Hindu goddess of disease, one of a group of seven sister goddesses with similar associations. Badi Mata is worshipped by some tribes in India, such as the Saharia, and the Kamar.[1][2] Her worshippers believe that her wrath causes people to suffer from smallpox.[2] The worshippers sacrifice goats to appease her.[1]

Badi Mata's sisters were Sitala Mata, Phul Mata, Pansahi Mata, Gusulia Mata, Kankar Mata, and Malbal.[3] She was also associated with Choti Mata, who is associated with chicken pox, and Sendri Mata who is associated with measles.[4]

References
  1. Awadesh N. Sharma; Rajesh K. Gautam; Ajay K. Gharami (1 January 2006). Indigenous Health Care and Ethno-medicine. Sarup & Sons. pp. 251–253. ISBN 978-81-7625-724-4.
  2. Georg Pfeffer; Deepak Kumar Behera (1997). Contemporary Society: Tribal situation in India. Concept Publishing Company. p. 281. ISBN 978-81-7022-984-1. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  3. Commissioner, India Census (1902). Census of India, 1901.
  4. Sanjay Sharma (25 April 2013). Baid, Hakim & Doctors: The Medicine Heritage of India. Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 72. ISBN 978-93-81576-48-9.


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