You might have noticed some images of Goddess Bhadrakali having dots or poxes on her face. There is an interesting story as to why she has poxes only on her face. The story is associated with wife of Demon Mahishasura found in folklore especially in North Kerala. Manodari, the wife of Demon Mahishasura, performed intense austerities to please Shiva. Her sole aim was to avenge Goddess Bhadrakali who had killed her husband. Shiva was not ready to appear before Manodari but Goddess Parvati insisted that He should appear before the wife of the demon. Shiva decided to appear only for a few seconds. Within that few seconds, Manodari asked for the sweat that fell from the body of Shiva. Shiva gave her his sweat and disappeared. Manodari returned back and saw Goddess Bhadrakali walking away happily after the war against her husband. She decided to test the power of the sweat and threw some of it on Bhadrakali. Goddess Bhadrakali was inflicted with pox. She started losing her strength and