Typologies of Umā-Maheśvara Sculptures in Kumaon Region

Usually, the Umā-Maheśvara form of Śiva-Pārvatī is a mixture of Śaivism and Śaktism. This couple form of Śiva and Pārvatī is very famous in Indian art. It is common to find an image of Umā-Maheśvara in almost all the art centres of the country. There are many types of depictions of Uma with Shiva in Indian art. The chief among these is Kalyāṇasundara, Soma-Skanda, Rāvaṇānugraha, Ardhānārīśvara, Arjunānugraha, Caṇḍeśānugraha, etc. However, among these, the fame of Umā-Maheśvara is different. Also, this form has more variations than others, and this research paper presents a clear basis for the differences under Umā-Maheśvara. This research throws light on the sculptures of Umā- Maheśvara found mainly in the Kumaon region and shows a new classification. Apart from this, it discusses the reasons for the occurrence of types of sculptures of Umā-Maheśvara. From this, it becomes clear why the images of Umā-Maheśvara were more popular in the Kumaon region.