Kalyana Sundarar

Red in color (sindhura), Three eyed, shoulders like yugas (four shouldered), wearing necklace and bracelet, Colorful in divine wonderful dress, Shining in the wedding robe, ornate, with enchanting body, salutations to that murti who is in marriage posture (bhoga murti), with a hand of devi in one lotus hand, with axe and deer in hands and ganga and moon on the wound-up hair.

Purana of the murti:

Kalyana Sundarar: The beautiful (murti) in marriage Shakthi was born as Parvati, the daughter of the king of Himalayas. As a young child, she was not interested in playing like the other children. She was more inclined towards meditating on Lord Shiva in the mountains. She desired to marry Lord Shiva. For that she wanted to perform austerity in the snow covered Himalayas. Her parents hesitated, but finally had to subdue to the determination of Parvati. Parvati performed austerity from an ashram. Lord Shiva who was happy with Her worship, came as an old devotee to her place. Parvati offered Her respect to the Old bhakta of Her Beloved Lord. Now, He tried to convince Her that She shouldn't waste Her youth doing tapas, but should enjoy life getting married ! He further suggested that She could get married to Him, instead of desiring for Lord Shiva Who dances in the cemeteries and wears skulls and bones! Parvati, without knowing that He is God Himself, got very angry on hearing the Old man's words and told Him that She showed Him respect only because He seemed like a devotee and She would not want to hear any little blasphemy of God further. She asked the Old Man to leave the place immediately. The Lord, pleased with Her determination and devotion, revealed who He is. Parvati was surprised and begged the pardon of God. However God had accepted Her scolding as the most pleasant hailing. Didn't it come from a very deep love for God ! He gave Her the boon She yearned for - getting married to Her.

The Himalayan king's family was delighted to see their beloved daughter's wedding. The region was decorated and shining with prosperity. The young beautiful Parvati was decorated with chosen best ornaments for the wedding. Now came the Groom - Lord Shiva - to the wedding place - on an old bull, with skull and bone ornaments, with the skin of the tiger as the clothing, accompanied by the roar of the bhuta ganas ! The mother of Parvati mother fainted to see the groom in such a form for her sweet daughter, softer than the flowers. Now the Lord changed to the form, glittering in a beautiful wedding robe - with golden ornaments and splendid clothing! When mother woke up and saw the Groom she was thrilled to see such a beautiful form and was very pleased that He is "the suitable" groom for her daughter. The play of the Lord has no bounds! Mother saw only the external appearance of the Groom. Other than the great Parvati who knows the glory of that Groom ? The enchanting Lord in the wedding robe got married to the Daughter of the mountains and this form of God is called Kalyana Sundharar.

Kalyana vrata (phanguni uththira - Holi Festival)

Kalyana vrata is one of the eight auspicious vrata. When the Sun is shining in the Pisces sign (mIna rasi) that is in the month of phagun (mid of March to mid of April) on the uththara naxaththiram on the Moons growing face (shukla paxam), this vrata is observed. This is the day Shakthi married Lord Shiva after a great austerity in the Himaalayas, as the daughter of Himavaan. It is also observed as the auspicious day when Lord Muruga married devaseenaa. This vrata is explained in the skandha purana.

In the morning after getting up, the observer of the vrata should meditate on the charming Lord Shiva in the wedding posture with Uma. After taking bath and through with other required deeds, should worship the Lord. The golden idol of the God and Goddess (who can afford to) should be anointed devotionally with holy substances. Then decorating them should make the wedding ceremony of the Goddess with the God. Making the nice and sweet offerings to the divine Parents, should salute them. Inviting the spiritual people who think of good to all the creatures, who have learnt the Vedas and who are devotees of Lord Shiva, along with their wives, should host them a feast. Later should go to the Shiva temple, worship, circumambulate three times and prostrate in front of the Lord. In the night should dine along with the kind hearted devotees of Lord Shiva and eat the sweet dishes like fruits and Kheer. Should sleep on the dharbai grass. The next morning after regular deeds, should donate the golden idol of God and Goddess to disciplined love hearted people who are the devotees of Lord Shiva. Should eat only once that day.

Observing this vrata will get one the great boon of Shri Lord Shankara's delight. It would bring much joy and comfort in life, lead to the abode of Lord Shiva and give the liberation.

Maha Vishnu got wedded to Laxmi sincerely observing this vrata. Brahma wedded Saraswati, Indra wedded Indrani, moon wedded the 27 stars, and sage Agastiya wedded Lobha mudra observing this vrata. The two daughters of Vishhnu namely Amritavalli, Saundaryavalli were married to the six faced Lord as Devasena and Valli.

The daughter of Vedanga Rishhi called Sukesi got married to Nandi devar. The two daughters of sage satyapurnar purana, pushhkalai were wedded to Maha sastha. Kama got Rathi, Sita got Rama, Jambhavati got Krishhna, sage Saupari got many princesses and so many more benefited all in the glory of this vrata. The man who observes this vrata will get the girl he likes and the woman gets beautiful man as her husband. The couple who observe this will get good offspring. Anybody who observes with devotion will get His grace.

This auspicious vrata of wedding of ShrI ParvatI parameshvara is celebrated as the festival of colors - Holi. Just preceding this festival is kama dahanam on which day kama - the divine of desire/lust is burnt off by the Supreme, as the cupid tried to misadventure his lust inducement on the God Itself. On the request of divines and Parvati Lord brought him back to life, during this celebration.