Uma–Maheshvara
Representation of Shiva-Parvati in Hindu iconography / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Uma–Maheshvara (Sanskrit: उमामहेश्वर, romanized: Umāmaheśvara) is a form of the divine couple, Shiva (Maheshvara) and Parvati (Uma), in Hindu iconography. It features the two principle Hindu deities in a benign form. It is one of the panchavimshatimurti (twenty-five forms of Shiva in Hindu iconography), as has been described in the Agamas, particularly in the Shaiva Siddhanta tracts of Southern India, and in the Silpa texts.[1][2] The Uma–Maheshvara images are found in the sanctum sanctorum of several South Indian temples, on the relief-sculptures of the temple walls, and in museum collections. Images exist as paintings and sculptures made out of various materials that represent the potent symbol of the two deities.[3][4] This form of the deities also travelled in neighbouring countries. In terms of the Hindu spiritual symbolism, the image represents the power and the significance of procreation.[5]