Parvati

Parvati is a major Hindu goddess who appears as the wife of Shiva and as a principal form of Shakti, the divine feminine energy. She is revered as a mother goddess and features prominently in many legends, rituals, and festivals. Parvati is also considered the mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya (Skanda), and she occupies a central role in various religious traditions across the Indian subcontinent.

The name Parvati is usually interpreted as “daughter of the mountains” (parvat), reflecting her origins in the Himalayan region. She is known by several other names, including Uma, Gauri, and Shailaputri, and appears in diverse forms that emphasize different aspects of the divine feminine.

In myth, Parvati is said to have performed intense penance to win Shiva’s union, after which they married and began their divine family. Some traditions regard her as a reincarnation of Sati, Shiva’s first wife. Across narratives, she embodies the energy and compassion that complement Shiva’s consciousness, and she is revered as an embodiment of Shakti in many schools of Hindu thought.

Iconography presents Parvati in multiple forms. She is depicted as Shailaputri in the Navadurga, and in powerful, protective forms such as Durga or Kali. She is also worshipped as Annapurna, the goddess of nourishment. Her iconography often shows her with her children or beside Shiva, and her vehicle is commonly the lion or tiger, symbolizing strength and courage.

Culturally, Parvati symbolizes fertility, marital devotion, and maternal care. She is venerated across many Hindu communities, with temples, festivals, and devotional practices that honor her as a benevolent, sustaining force in the world.