Parvathi Parmeshwara Kalayanam is a celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathi.
To celebrate this completion of form with formless, we the vaddadi varu -Shyamal Kumar Vaddadi and Sai Shree Vaddadi are organising Parvathi Parmeshwara Kalayanam at our residence in Vashi.
పార్వతీ పరమేశ్వర కళ్యాణం
We were hopeful that we will be able perform this event in April 2020. Abiding with the directives of Government of India’s advisary, it was postponed to November 2020. We are looking at 2021 for this event.
Shiva means mangalkaari, Auspicious, Pure .
He is also described as someone who is in a state of blissful, enjoying in its own self eternally. Shiva is described as “The god staying in a state blissful, enjoying in its own self eternally, without any flaws.”
“NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI”
There is no image of him — Yajur Veda
Shiva is “Formless”. Though all forms belong to him and he is happy in whatever way you look at him yet there is no single form in the world that describes him. To complete the formless we have his female form Shivam. This union is complete through his marriage to Devi Parvathi.
VADDADIVARU – WISH TO PERFORM SHIVAKALAYANAM
Legendary Stories of SHIVAKALAYANAM
There is a interesting story about shivakalayanam. In every marriage, there is a tradition of speaking about one’s lineage. During the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi, the same happened. Parvatraj Himavant has glorified his lineage. Once he finished, he looked at lord Shiva and asked him to say a few words about his lineage. But Lord Shiva kept on looking at shoonya (the absense of one). All the guests of Devi Parvathi were becoming restless, there were even murmurs. At this point of time, Narada muni played a string on his Veena continously. Raja Himavant got irritated with this. He asked, ” How can I give my daughter to some one who doesnt know about his clan”.
Narada said, ” No the groom doesnt have parents. He doesnt have anything, doesnt have a gotra. Shiva doesnt belong to any one, he is Swayambhu. He belongs to the Sound, the sound only. When the universe came into existence there was only one sound and he belongs to that sound. Thats the reason I am playing the string to create the sound”
“Vagarthaviva sampriktau vagarthah pratipattaye , Jagatah pitarau vande parvathiparameshwarau’“
“Vagarthaviva sampriktau vagarthah pratipattaye , Jagatah pitarau vande parvathiparameshwarau’“
The above ‘shloka’ is the first verse of Raghuvamsha, authored by the great poet Kalidasa. He prays God Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
The meaning of the said ‘shloka’ is as follows –
‘I pray the God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the parents of the world, who are as inseparable as a speech and its meaning, to gain knowledge of speech and its meaning.’
As there is no word without a meaning, similar to the jagatpita and jaganmata who rule this universe.
The prayer is said to to acquire proficiency in literature by gaining knowledge of speech and its meaning.
Devi Sati after immolating herself in the Daksha Yagna, was reincarnated as Parvathi. She performed penance to break Shiva’s meditation. With the help of devatas and Kaama deva, the lord of love and passion. Kaamadeva shot his arrow when Devi Parvathi was in his presence, this infuriated Shiva who opened his third eye to reduce Kaamadeva into ashes. It was only after Kamadeva’s wife Rati’s pleading that Lord Shiva agreed to revive Kaamadeva and gave boon that he will be visible only to her and no one else.
SHIVA PARVATHI KALAYANAM Date
Later, Parvati undertook severe penance to win over Shiva. Through her devotion she was finally able to lure Shiva into marriage and away from asceticism.
Marriage of Shiv and Parvathi was solemnized a day before Amavasya in the month of Phalgun. This day of union of God Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Mahashivratri every year.
The celestial shivakalyanam or shiva parvathi wedding is one of the most revered stories of Hindus. The wedding has a greater significance. Lord Shiva is pasupatinath, the God of all creatures, animals. In his wedding procession, every one from animals to insects to bhoot gana, deva gana, rakshasha gana every one participated. In fact, his wedding procession had representation from all lokas.
The wedding has seen the transformation of Shiva into many forms like Chandrasekhar . This celestial wedding is performed in many temples across India on Mahashivaratri day.
vaddadi is surname of Shyamal Kumar
Other forms of Shiva Parvathi Kalayanam popular in India
In Madurai, the lord Sundereshwara marries Devi Meenakshi popularly known as Meenakshi Kalayanam. In this ceremeony, the 4 of the six streams of Hinduism, i.e., Shaiva, Shakthi, Vaishnava and Skanda faiths confluence together to a great splendour. The marriage is performed every year, is widely popular across all southern states.
Meenakshi Kalyanam is a part of the renowned ‘Chithirai Thiruvizha’ celebrations. This festival is observed during the month of ‘Chitirai’ in the Tamil calendar. Chithirai Thiruvizha is an annual event celebrated with great pomp and show in Madurai in the month of April, as per the Gregorian calendar. However, it is known to be the world’s longest celebrations that last for a period of one month (30 days). Of this, the first fortnight is dedidicated to Goddess Meenakshi (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati) and the remaining 15 days is celebrated for Alagar, who is known to be a form of Mahavishnu. Alagar is the elder brother of Meenakshi and he visited Madurai to attend the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi.
This celestial wedding is a divine event, which one can perform, participate and get bestowed with abudance. Although, Shiva kalayanam is performed mostly by shaivites unlike the Venkateshwara Kalayanam which everyone performs almost daily in all temples.
Picture Credits: Painting of Meenakshi Kalayanam by Bapu
To read and see videos related to SHIVAKALAYANAM https://www.facebook.com/events/486503332292877/
kindly visit my other blogs, or you can read about various chapters of bhagwatgeetha