The goddess Parvati is the gentle and nurturing aspect of Shakti, the divine female energy and creative power. She is one of the central deities of the Goddess-oriented Shakta sect of Hinduism. Parvati is also the mother goddess in Hinduism and has many attributes and aspects. She is the wife of Lord Shiva - the protector and regenerator of universe and all life, as well as the son Ganesha and Kartikeya. In some communities, she is the sister of Vishnu and the river goddess Ganga. As Sati or Uma, Parvati was Shiva's first wife. He remarried her as Parvati after her reincarnation from Sati's self-immolation. Her father was Himavan and her mother was Minavati. Parvati is one of the Sanskrit words for 'mountain,' and is said to mean "she from the mountains." She is often revered as Gauri, Kalika, Kali or Ambika. She is the daughter of king Parvat (lord of the mountains). She personifies the Himalayas. She is often depicted with Shiva in iconography and temple art. As Parvati, she is the embodiment of marital love and devotion. As Sati or Aparna, she symbolizes severe austerity. Her names include Gauri, Kamakhya, Annapurna, Girija, Kali or Shyama. Her eyes are like lotuses; her bodily lustre equal to Padmaraga gem. She is fair-skinned. She wears red clothes.

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