Girijakalyanam sketch - Kerala Mural Archive

Detail Photos

Deity: Parvathi Deity: Shiva Location: Mattancherry Palace Theme: Other Visual Feature: Facial expression detail Visual Feature: Hand gesture (mudra)Visual Feature: Ornamentation

Girija Kalyanam or Girija's marriage is a depiction of Shiva marrying Parvati. In this particular sketch, there is Shiva holding Parvati's hand in a ceremony that is called pani grahanam, or holding the hand. It is part of the wedding ritual in Kerala. Here, Shiva is decked with jewelry. He wears a crown, earrings, necklaces, armlets, bangles, waist band, and rings. He has his third eye on his forehead. He has four arms, of which the upper two arms hold the deer and a weapon that is unidentified. Out of his two lower hands, his lower left hand rests on his hips, and his lower right hand holds Parvati's hand. Parvati stands next to Shiva with her eyes looking downwards in shyness. She wears a crown on her forehead, earrings, necklaces, armlets, bangles, and waist band. She has curved her hand in a gesture that makes it resemble a lotus bud. Her other hand is on her shoulder. Vishnu is positioned right behind her. He has a crown, necklaces, earrings, bangles, rings, and other such jewelry. He is holding the elbow of Parvati as in a gesture to show that he is giving her away in marriage. Himavan, Parvati's father, stands behind her. He is a bearded figure with a crown on his forehead. He looks dotingly upon the couple. There is another unidentified behind Shiva. There are a group of sages, Bhoota ganas and women among the wedding party. Narada is one who can be identified from the group because of the veena in his hand and long beard. A portion of the panel is missing. There is a nilavilakku, or traditional lamp, between Shiva and Parvathi.

Iconography

Primary Deity/Figure: Shiva, Parvathi
Secondary Figures: Himavan, Narada, Vishnu
Iconographic Form: Girijakalyanam
Iconographic Attributes: Three-eyed, four-armed Shiva with a deer in his upper left hand and a weapon, most probably an axe, in his upper right hand. His lower right hand is holding Parvati's hand. His lower left hand is holding his hip. He is looking at Parvati. Parvati is looking downwards in shyness. She is holding her hand out to Shiva. Her other hand is on her shoulder. She is all decked in jewelry of various kinds. Vishnu is beside her, holding her elbow. He has four arms as well. Two of his visible arms, of which one arm holds the Shankhu or conch shell. There is Himavan standing behind Parvati, looking at the couple. He is smiling. He has a beard and a crown on his forehead. Behind Shiva stands an unidentified figure. There is also another unidentified figure beside Shiva. There is also Narada, identified by his veena in his hands. There are several sages and bhutaganas and Devas in attendance. There are also several women as part of the panel in the lower right corner as well.
Rasa: Shanta

Spatial & Architectural

Temple: Palace interior
Zone within Temple: Antechamber
Position in Pradakshina Sequence: Not Applicable
Adjacent Panels: Girijakalyanam

Narrative

Textual Source: Other
Mythological Tale: Parvati went on a penance to marry Shiva and Shiva finally agreed to the marriage. Being the daughter of Himavan, she was married off to Shiva in the presence of her parents, sages, Devas and bhootaganas.
Episode: Kumarasambhavam
Position within Narrative Sequence: 6 out of 6

Condition & Documentation

Condition: Not Applicable
Deterioration Type: Other
Restoration Status: Not Applicable
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: ASI permission
Date of Documentation: 01/08/2024
Artist: Unknown
Identifier: MCP_P012
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.