1-157-550 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Ceremony honouring Mariatale, goddess of Smallpox at her temple at Negapattam, Southern India. A man, suspended by hooks and holding a sword and shield, is being swung through the air. Maritale was the mother of Parasurama (Vishnu's 6th Avatar or incarnation). From Oriental Drawings by Charles Gold. (London, 1806).