Worship the couple, not one alone
Parvati is almost never worshipped apart from Shiva. She won him through penance, and the Ardhanarishvara image shows them as one body, so the household tradition places them side by side, often with Ganesha. If you have only a Shivling, Parvati is worshipped on its base (the jalaheri), which represents her. This vidhi is written for a married woman or an unmarried girl worshipping at home, but anyone may follow it.
When to do it
- Mondays, especially in Shravan, with Shiva.
- Mangala Gauri vrat: the Tuesdays of Shravan, kept by newly married women.
- Hariyali Teej (Shravan Shukla Tritiya) and Hartalika Teej (Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya).
- Gangaur (Chaitra Shukla Tritiya) in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
- Any day, morning or at dusk (pradosh), for a simple puja.
What you will need
- A picture of Shiva-Parvati, or a Shivling, or clay images of Gauri and Shiva
- Gangajal and clean water, a small lota
- Roli, kumkum, haldi, akshat, sandalwood paste
- Suhag items for Parvati: sindoor, bangles, bindi, mehendi, kajal, a comb, a mirror and a red chunri
- Red and white flowers; bel leaves and dhatura for Shiva
- A ghee lamp, incense and camphor
- Fruit and a sweet (kheer, malpua or any milk sweet) for naivedya
Step by step
- Prepare. Bathe, wear clean clothes (red, green or yellow are traditional for women), and sit facing east or north.
- Ganesh first. Offer a flower and akshat to Ganesha.
- Sankalpa. With water, akshat and a flower in your right hand, state your name, your gotra and your intention: for a happy married life, for a good husband, or simply for the family's wellbeing. Let the water fall.
- Abhishek. Pour water and a little Gangajal over the Shivling, or sprinkle it on the images.
- Shiva's offerings. Sandal, bel leaves, dhatura and white flowers to Shiva.
- Parvati's offerings. Kumkum and sindoor, akshat and red flowers, then place the suhag items before her and drape the chunri. Say Om Parvatyai Namah with each offering.
- Lamp, incense, naivedya. Show the lamp and incense, and offer fruit and the sweet.
- Mantra. Chant Om Umamaheshvarabhyam Namah 108 times for the couple, or the verse Hey Gauri Shankarardhangi if you are praying for marriage.
- Path. Read the Parvati Chalisa or the Uma Maheshwara Stotram, or both.
- Aarti. Sing Om Jai Shiv Omkara and then Jai Parvati Mata.
- Close. Ask forgiveness for any mistake, bow, and share the prasad. On a vrat day, married women often give the suhag items to another married woman afterwards.
Things to keep in mind
- Offer tulsi to neither Shiva nor Parvati; it is reserved for Vishnu and Krishna. Shiva's leaf is bel.
- Haldi and kumkum are for Parvati; Shiva traditionally receives sandal and bhasma instead.
- On Hartalika Teej the fast is strict, often without water, and the main puja is done at pradosh, at dusk, with clay images of Shiva and Parvati. If health does not allow a waterless fast, fruit and water are an accepted alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Can unmarried girls do Parvati puja?
Yes. Unmarried girls are among Parvati's most devoted worshippers, praying for a husband like Shiva, because Parvati herself prayed for him through penance. The Hey Gauri Shankarardhangi verse is chanted for exactly this.
Which day is best for Parvati puja?
Monday, with Shiva, for regular worship. The Tuesdays of Shravan (Mangala Gauri), Hariyali and Hartalika Teej, and Gangaur are her special days.
Can men worship Parvati?
Yes. Parvati is the Mother of the whole world. Men usually worship her together with Shiva, especially on Mondays and Mahashivratri.
What should I offer Parvati?
Suhag items (sindoor, bangles, bindi, mehendi and a red chunri), red flowers, kumkum, fruit and a milk sweet. These are the offerings a married woman would give to the Mother of married life.