Kalyanasundara Murti form of Shiva Parvati

Kalyanasundara in the Hindu religion is a pious and divine marriage ritual which took place between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 

Kalyanasundara Murti form of Shiva Parvati

Kalyanasundara has been established as an icon of a beautiful marriage which is symbolized by the man accepting the woman’s hand in marriage. Several images and inscriptions have depicted the marriage on stone and artworks where Lord Shiva is seen to be holding the hand of Maa Parvathi, as a gesture of accepting her as his wife. The couple is found surrounded by a number of Hindu Gods, Goddess and celestial beings as consenting to the union as well as blessing the couple. 

During the divine ritual Lord Brahma is seen as the official priest. Though not considered a symbol of worship, the Kalyanasundara images are used during marriage to punctuate the auspiciousness of the ceremony.

Kalyanasundara Murti Depictions in Art

The union of Shiv and Parvati has been narrated in a number of different ways in several adaptations. The act of ‘Panigrahana’ which is the central ritual in the ceremony forms the theme of many paintings and sculptures found in Indian caves and temples. The four-handed Lord Shiva is seen wearing a jata-mukata, with Lord Chandra on his head and serpents rounds his neck. He stands in a Tribhanga posture. Goddess Parvati is with two hands and dressed in silk and gold. She is seen extending her hand to the Lord, who takes it in his. Parvati’s parents along with Brahma, Vishnu and his divine consoft Goddess Lakshmi are seen present during the auspicious ceremony. 

The fire symbol seen in the images is an important representation of the concept of ‘saptapadi’ in Hindu marriages where the blessed couple has to take seven rounds of the fire to seal the bond of marriage. Several ceremonial weapons and musical instruments are also depicted in the stone structures all over the place.

Kalyanasundara scene can be seen in the Wall carvings of the famous Ellora Cavesin Maharashtra.