A Wedding Like No Other - Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati’s Divine Union

The Unique Wedding Procession

After winning back Lord Shiv with her severe austerities, Devi Parvati returned to her father, King Himavan's palace. Her parents were overjoyed to see her return victorious.

Days flew by, and soon, it was the wedding day of Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati. Lord Shiv's Ganas were thrilled and decided to accompany him in the wedding procession. They lived under his constant grace and protection, and his marriage was indeed a special occasion. 

Lord Shiv, whose very name means ‘auspiciousness,’ does not care for appearance and formality. He proceeded in his wedding procession just as he was, wearing dreaded snakes like Vasuki and Takshak as garlands, bracelets,  waist belt, and earrings. He carried his trident, and the tiger skin barely covered his yogic body smeared in cremation ash.

Mahadev’s hair was matted, and he revealed his five heads; he looked fierce and powerful. Unlike other regal bridegrooms who rode majestic horses, he was seated on his bull, Nandi.  

The wedding procession was one of a kind with Lord Brahma, Sri Vishnu, the Devas, as well as ghosts, demons, ghouls, aghoris, and social outcasts. The cries of ‘Bam Bam, Bhole filled the air,’ creating waves of worry and panic for Queen Mena, who waited at the gate to receive the groom chosen by her beloved daughter.  

A Mother’s Worry and a Daughter’s Response

The Ganas were too excited to observe decorum. Queen Mena was worried about how her tender, regal daughter would live among such unruly people. To add to that, Lord Shiv looked terrifying. Unable to bear this shock and contrast, Queen Mena fainted.

However, having deeply absorbed the essence of Lord Shiv—the Shiv Tattva—Ma Parvati was much more than his consort. As seen in her Brahmacharini form, she was also the Guru of the Shiv Siddhant and had guided even the Saptarishis (the seven revered sages). Yet, as a daughter, she understood her mother’s fears. To reassure Queen Mena, she decided to persuade Lord Shiv to adopt a gentler form. Therefore, Devi Parvati momentarily assumed a fierce form.

With ten arms holding various weapons and a crescent-shaped bell resting on her crown, Maa Parvati mirrored Shiv’s intense energy. This radiant form came to be known as Ma Chandraghanta. Thus, she quieted the wild Ganas, softening Shiv’s fierce side, and requested him for a pleasant appearance.

Chandraghanta and Chandrashekhar

Lord Shiv was touched; he gave up his fearsome look, allowing Lord Vishnu to adorn him as a charming bridegroom. In this form, he was worshipped as Chandrashekhar (bearer of the moon) or Sundareshwar (the beautiful one). 

As a gesture of her love and devotion, Devi Parvati adorned her forehead with a crescent moon, mirroring the one on Lord Shiv’s matted locks.

After the grand wedding, Ma Parvati accompanied Lord Shiv to Kailash Parvat, where she began her new life. While Lord Shiv remained immersed in deep meditation, Devi Parvati lovingly took care of everything, slowly transforming their cave into a home filled with warmth and beauty.

Did this peace last for very long? What dangers awaited the newlywed Ma Parvati? Read on in the next post