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Parvati: Hindu Goddess of Power, Love & Devotion (Form of Adiparaa Sakthi)
Adiparaa Sakthi is often worshipped in three primary forms – Maathaa Saraswati, Maathaa Lakshmi and Maathaa Parvati. These forms are for us to get blessed to the fullest as one cannot directly approach the Supreme. That is why according to temple custom, one must first visit the shrine of Goddess and then the Lord.
Maathaa Parvati is the embodiment of devotion, renunciation, affection, harmony, power and many qualities. She takes different forms to bless Her children.
Here in this article, let us go through some of the temples related to Goddess Parvati in brief.
As a daughter
Himavan, the king of the mountains and Mena his wife had many children. But most precious is Goddess Parvati. She is a jewel among them. She was growing with loads of beauty, wisdom, patience and courage. From a young, she was passionate towards Lord Shiva. She knew it was difficult to approach Lord Shiva as he was an ascetic. But she did not give up. She started to do penance.
Maathaa Parvati’s penance shows the power of womanhood. She proved that she was devoted towards Lord Shiva in all aspects. So, she removed all her ornaments, wore only ascetic robes, and ate very little, sometimes not even leaves for which she was praised as “Aparna”.
She was performing severe penance and on seeing that Mother Mena called her “Uma”. She always chanted Lord Shiva’s name. She was hardworking and ensured to serve Shiva during his meditation in all the seasons. Lord Shiva tested her sincerity and finally accepted her as his wife. Such was the ardent devotion showered by Goddess Parvati.
In Mangadu, near Chennai one can get Darshan of Goddess Parvati, in the form of ‘Kamakshi devi’ doing penance. One can learn from this quality that a woman can succeed even in tough situations.
The Divine Marriage
The marriage between Goddess Parvati and Parameshwar is for the well-being of the world. The world was in distress because of Tarakasura and Surapadma who were killed by Lord Muruga. Thus, reveals that she is “Jaganmaathaa” who cares for the wellbeing of the universe. They are praised as “Divya Dampathi”, the divine couple. Triyughanarayan temple in Uttarakhand still has the “holy fire” burns which had witnessed the beautiful Divine marriage.
“Thirumanancheri temple”, in Tamil Nadu also celebrates the Parvati Kalyanam. In almost all the Shiva temples, Kalyanam will take place to God and Goddess in a grand manner. Everyone should participate in this divine Kalyanam and be blessed.
Embracing Motherhood, the birth of Lord Ganesha
Goddess Parvati who is “Jaganmatha” wanted to create a son for her who always obeys. She created Lord Ganesha out of her compassion and advised him to be with her always. Lord Ganesha is also the personification of intellect. Thus, shows her “Vaatsalya” bhava, the motherly care towards the world.
Parvati is seen with Ganesha in the form of “Sakthi Ganapathi”, “Ucchhishta Ganapathi”, “Maha Ganapathi”, “Urdhva Ganapathi”, “Varada Ganapathi”, “Uddanda Ganapathi”, “Sankatahara Ganapathi” are few forms to worship where Goddess Parvati along with Lord Ganesha to remove our obstacles and bless us. One also begets good sons by worshipping them.
Poison becomes Nectar
When churning the Milky Ocean, “Halahala Kalkut”, poison came out which almost killed everybody. But to save the world, Lord Shiva, immediately drank the poison. His neck was slowly turning to blue because of poison. Goddess Parvati immediately kept her divine hand on his throat until all the poison got stuck. Thus, Lord Shiva was called “Neelakanta”.
This incident proved how a dutiful wife should respond and help her husband to save the world. She is “Dharmapatni” and “Saha-Dharma-Charini”. Neelakanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand has a legend tied up with this incident. Every woman should be dutiful towards her husband.
The True Mother
Garbharakshambika is a temple in Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu where Goddess Parvati is called by that name. She guarded her devotee ‘Vedhika’ who was a pregnant woman who got cursed by a Rishi for no fault. The devotee, prayed to Goddess that her womb to be protected. The blessings of Goddess as Garbharakshambika not only protected child in the womb but also blessed the child to be born as a devotee.
“Bhiksham dehi kripavalambanakare mata Annapurneshwari”
Oh! Mother Annapurna! … the great deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms. Every being in this world requires food to survive. Parvati Devi in the form of “Annapoorna” in Kasi gives us food for survival and food in the form of “Gnana-wisdom”, for betterment. The story here is Lord Shiva himself begs for food and Goddess Parvati in the form of Annapurna Devi gives food.
From this, we could know that she is the one who feeds the world. One should recite “Annapoornashtakam” before eating food.
The better half
“Ardhanareeshwar” – Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu is the place where one can get the darshan of Ardhanareeshwar during Karthika Deepotsavam. This symbolizes that creative and destructive energy are one, man or woman cannot be separated was shown in this united form. Lord Shiva in the right and Goddess Parvati in the left side blesses us and teaches us the power of inseparable form.
The Warrior Princess
Goddess Meenakshi, who came from the holy altar as a brave daughter to Malayadhwaja Pandya king to prove that woman has all the ability to rule this world. Pandya’s king honoured her by giving his kingdom for a ruling. She was praised as “Meenakshi” due to many reasons, but primary was, she protected her people like a fish that guards its children.
She waged war with Devas and won. Thus, bravery is also an integral part of a woman’s quality is showcased. Lord Shiva came as “Kalyana Sundareswar” and married Goddess Meenakshi who is the incarnation of Goddess Parvati. This is one of the rarest places where Lord Shiva dressed with adorable ornaments and robes to wed Meenakshi Devi.
The Doctor
Goddess Parvati is worshipped in the form of Vaidheeshwari devi in Vaideeshwaran Koil (temple), Tamil Nadu. She blesses the devotees with the pot of ointment which cures all the diseases. A bath in the holy temple tank helps to get rid of all the diseases. This shows that she in the form of a doctor cures all the diseases.
Click here for the temple’s location on Google Maps
It is also said that the Goddess handed over the “Vel” holy spear to Muruga to destroy the demons. This shows, that as a true mother who guides her child to protect the world from evil and attain victory. The Vaidhyanatha Ashtakam clearly says whoever recites this ashtakam will get rid of all the diseases.
Mookambika
The place in Karnataka where Maathaa Lakshmi, Maathaa Saraswati and Maathaa Parvati take the single form and bless the devotees by giving prosperity, health and knowledge.
Final Word
Here, Goddess Parvati is worshipped within the three forms. All parts of India worship Goddess Parvati in various forms. There are numerous temples in India with thousands of names for worshipping Goddess Parvati. Surely, we all will get blessed by the Universal Mother who takes various forms to protect her children.
