Lavina Melwani:

While there are many festivals in India during which women fast for the welfare of their husbands, Shiva is the god most Hindus turn to for good spouses and a harmonious family life.

A very complex God, Shiva is not only temperamental and passionate but also deeply responsive to sincere devotion. Because Hindu mythology tells us that Parvati, Shiva’s consort, won him over by meditation and fasting, many married women and single girls keep his fast. Parvati, the daughter of King Parvatraja, fell in love with Shiva. She could not get his attention because he was deep in meditation, and so she fasted to win him. Kama, the god of Love, intervened by shooting an arrow of flowers from his sugarcane bow at Shiva. With his concentration disturbed, Shiva opened his eyes and saw Parvati standing before him. He instantly fell in love with her.

Of all the gods of the Hindu pantheon, it is Shiva and Parvati who have the ideal family life. There are many stories of Shiva’s passion and devotion for Parvati and their harmonious relationship. In Rajasthan, women celebrate a colourful festival called Gangaur in which they honour Gauri, a manifestation of Parvati, to ensure their husband’s well-being. “Shiva is not just a romantic lover, he’s also a good friend and companion to Parvati,” says Vasudha Naray-anan, professor of religion at the University of Florida. “In fact, Shiva is said to love Parvati so much that she becomes part of his body. In many parts of South India, devotees worship Shiva as Ardhanareshvara — half Shiva, half Parvati. That’s the ultimate union; they become truly one in body, and that’s about as romantic as you can get!” —Beliefnet.com