Parvati

Parvati is the mother of two major Hindu deities: Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and new beginnings, and Kartikeya (also known as Murugan or Skanda), the god of war. Different Puranic texts offer varying accounts of their births, with some traditions describing Ganesha as created from Parvati's own body. Both sons are among the most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism today.

Parvati is considered the benevolent, nurturing manifestation of the supreme divine mother, Mahadevi, and she has numerous forms reflecting different aspects of her power. Her fierce warrior incarnations include Durga, who defeated the buffalo demon Mahishasura, and Kali, the goddess of time and destruction. As Sati, she was her earlier incarnation who self-immolated, and she was reborn as Parvati to reunite with Shiva.

According to Hindu tradition, after Sati's death, Parvati undertook severe penance and austerity for many years to win Shiva's attention. Shiva initially tested her devotion by appearing in disguise and criticizing himself, but her unwavering faith convinced him of her worthiness. Their union symbolizes the balance between ascetic energy (Shiva) and worldly power (Parvati), and is celebrated in festivals such as Teej and Maha Shivaratri.

Parvati is the power (Shakti) element of the Tridevi, the triad of supreme Hindu goddesses, alongside Saraswati (knowledge) and Lakshmi (prosperity). As Shiva's consort, she represents the dynamic creative energy of the universe and completes the cosmic trinity that mirrors the male Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. In Shakta traditions, which focus worship on the feminine divine, she is considered the supreme being from whom all other gods derive their power.