In the Tamil Shaiva tradition, Uma-Parvati, the beloved of Lord Shiva is evoked as the energy that empowers Shiva, her presence is what makes Mahadeva Shiva auspicious for his devotees. This belief in the inseparability of Shiva and Shakti manifests itself in a rich profusion of Panchaloha Uma bronzes which depict the mother goddess as Palli Arai Devi or the goddess of the Bedchamber (of Shiva).
These Uma bronze icons are sparsely adorned yet represent one of the most enchanting forms of the great Hindu goddess, who is endearingly called- “Bhogashakti”- the goddess (Shakti) who is the sole cause of Shiva’s pleasure (Bhoga). A tapering waist, lithesome arms, and sharp facial features accentuate the exquisiteness of this Panchaloha bronze Uma Parvati statue.
Devi Parvati’s luxuriant tresses are secured in a high-raising Jatamukuta crested with a peacock feather. A round bindi of the goddess’s forehead along with a crescent-shaped mark represents the Sun and the Moon, whose luster is rivaled by the loveliness of this bronze Uma Parvati icon.
Devi sits in the posture of royal ease or Lalitasana ornamented by a Siraschakra (head ornament), a single-stringed necklace with pendant, armlets, waistband, and anklet, all of them simple in make to keep the focus on the flawless physical allure of Maa Parvati, which requires no jewels. The lotus throne on which Devi Parvati is installed is traditionally placed near Shiva’s icon in the inner sanctum, placed on which the great goddess charms the great ascetic.
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