Uma Maheshvara

Description

Shiva and Parvati appear in this form, in Indian sculptures depicting Shiva as Maheshvara and Parvati as Uma. Together Uma- Maheshvara represent as ideal married couple with arms draped around each other. Uma as per popular belief is the daughter of Himavan (the king of mountains). Shiva holds his trident (Trisula) in his upper right hand and his lower right hand is in Varada mudra. Shiva sits in lalitasana and Parvati on his lap. Nandi, the bull, vehicle of Shiva, sits at their feet. A gana is visible below the pedestal of Parvati. Two female attendants on either side of the niche are visible holding flywhisks in their hands. On the right and left most niches, vyals are visible in this sculptural fragment.