Uma Parvati Statue

Uma, also known as Parvati, is the divine mate of the Hindu god Shiva. She is daughter of the Himalayas, who waited for Shiva to court her, singing and dancing and making herself beautiful. But the ascetic Shiva took no notice. She then sought to impress him by living an austere life herself. She was so committed to this path that she changed the color of her skin from its original black to gold. In this form she became know as Uma, which means "light" or "beauty."