"Sitalaa, Smallpox and donkeys

[kxp5195 at hertz.njit.edu]

Somdev Vasudeva writes:
> Can someone kindly direct me to literary references in Skt. explaining the 
> connection of the Goddess "Sitalaa with smallpox and her vehicle the 
> donkey? I have been informed that this deity is still worshipped in 
> parts of Rajasthan where an annual festival is held in her honour 
> involving a stick-dance performed by men wearing enormous skirts. Do any 
> accounts or studies of this ritual exist?

she is also worshipped in bengal.