Parvati (She of the mountain) is the divine consort of the Hindu god Shiva. She was the daughter of King Himavan, the personification of the Himalayan mountains, and Queen Mena (or Mainavati or Menavati). Parvati is a revered goddess of fertility, motherhood, devotion, beauty, and nurturance.
In this Odia (Orissan) representation, Parvati is enthroned on a lotus base and stepped pedestal. She is crowned with a tiara and has an ascetic’s piled hair (jata mukuta). The goddess is profusely ornamented, including an ornate hip belt (katibandha) and a long ascetic’s sash (yoga patta) worn over her left shoulder. She has four arms. In her upper right hand, she holds a rosary (akshamala). Her lower right hand displays the gesture of reassurance (abhaya mudra). In her upper left hand, she grasps the stalk of an open lotus (padma). Her lower left hand carries an ascetic’s water pot (kamandalu). Two flying celestial "Bearers of Wisdom" (vidyadharas) hover near Parvati’s head conveying pearl garlands in her honor. Parvati’s lion mount (simha vahana) crouches beneath her on the base and turns upwards to face his mistress snarling. A support tang protrudes from the bottom of the sculpture. See also M.77.82.
