Parnashavari (IAST: Parṇaśabarī, Tibetan: Lomagyuma Sanskrit: पर्णशबरी), also spelt as Paranasavari (Paranasabari),[1] [2] is a Hindu deity adopted as Buddhist deity of diseases, worship of which is believed to offer effective protection against out-breaks of epidemics.[3]
Parnasabari is also depicted in some images of the Pala period found in Dhaka, as a main goddess and escorted by Hindu deities Jvarasura and Shitala.[4] Both of these escorts are disease related Hindu deities. In India, the Kurkihar hoard contains seven bronze images of Parnasabari belonging to 10th–12th century AD.[5]
In Buddhism, Parnasabari is depicted as an attendant of the Mother Godess Tara.[1] Some say that the term Parnasabari is an attempt to connect the deity with Vindya region, as Sabaras held a stronghold over the region.[1]