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Oladevi is the goddess of cholera and is worshipped by people of Bengal region (consisting of the present-day Bangladesh and the state of West Bengal) and Marwar, Rajasthan. The goddess is also known as Olaichandi, Olabibi and Bibima. She is venerated by Hindus of Bengal.
She is also worshipped in Rajasthan as Maa Sheetala, saving her devotees from diseases like cholera, jaundice, diarrhoea and other stomach related diseases. She is called Ori Mata. In Marwari people tradition, she has no fixed iconography but generally she is depicted like Sheetala.
Oladevi is an important part of folk tradition in Bengal, and is honoured by communities of different religions and cultures. Oladevi - Banglapedia Islam in BangladeshRalph W. Nicholas. Fruits of Worship: Practical Religion in Bengal. Page 205. Orient Longman, 2003.
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. The Hinduism of Bengal call her Olabibi or Bibima from Olabibi Gan ( Song of Olabibi), which recounts the story of the child of a virgin Hinduism princess that disappeared mystically and reappeared as the Goddess, curing the sons of the minister of the kingdom and the Maharaja, the father of her mother. 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.
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