Goddess Lajja Gauri is the shy mother goddess. She is a
manifestation of Goddess Parvati and there are numerous stories associated with
Lajja Gauri and Lord Shiva. The majority of the stories are folktales and are not
found in Hindu scriptures.
According to a local legend connected with an image of this kind at the Chalukyan site of Lajjikesvara in Karnataka, Shiva and Parvati were once bathing and playing together unclothed in the waters of a temple tank. Their privacy was suddenly interrupted when a devotee of Shiva unexpectedly arrived to offer his respects.
Shiva immediately concealed himself by merging into the lingam situated on the embankment of the tank. Parvati, however, was caught completely unprepared. Overcome by modesty and embarrassment, or lajja, she sought refuge in the water. To conceal herself from the devotee, she covered her body with a nearby lotus flower.
Another Legend
Legend has it that once Shiva decided to play a prank on
Goddess Parvati. He gave her a blanket for safe keeping.
Shiva then took the form of a mouse and made holes in the blanket.
Goddess Parvati got frightened when she saw the torn
blanket.
Shiva then took the form of a tailor and appeared before
Goddess Parvati.
She was happy and asked him to mend the blanket.
The tailor said that he could make the blanket look like the
original. But he put a condition that would only do the needful if she agrees
to make love to him.
Goddess Parvati agreed to it.
In the midst of lovemaking, Shiva dropped his disguise and
assumed his own form.
Goddess Parvati felt so ashamed that her head fell down
immediately.
Torso of Goddess Parvati came to be known as Lajja Gauri.
Related
Story of Mandodari, wife of Ravana
Related
Story of Mandodari, wife of Ravana