Wedding of Meenakshi - The significance and spiritual symbolism

This is the famous painting depicting the wedding of Meenakshi.  The special thing about this depiction is that all the three major Divinities of Hinduism - viz. Shiva, Shakti and Vishnu are shown together. Not just together, but in an equal manner, unlike in many other depictions where one is shown worshipping the other, aimed at hinting the supremacy of one deity over the other. 

As per the Purana, Shakti is getting married to Shiva, and Her brother Vishnu is doing the 'Kanya Daan'. All this happens as part of the Divine Leela in Madurai. Going by the Puranic lore, it shows the "relationship" of the three deities. But going by the Tattva (philosophical essence), it shows the Oneness of the three deities. 

सर्व-मङ्गल-माङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ-साधिके ।

शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तुते ॥

sarva-maṅgala-māṅgalye śive sarvārtha-sādhike ।

śaraṇye tryambake gaurī nārāyaṇī namostute ॥

In this most popular hymn, Shakti is referred as śivā in the first line and nārāyaṇī in the second line, marking the Shiva-Vishnu oneness.

ardhanārīśvara and  harihara are well-known two-in-one forms of 

Shiva-Shakti and Shiva-Vishnu respectively. Even these two different forms ultimately point to the Oneness as per the symbolism in many Puranas and the hymns of sages, as in the above Shloka. 

The divine forms (divya svarūpa) of "composite" Hindu deities are beautiful. They express both the diversity and the oneness of the Divine directly and explicitly and hence become cherished icons (mūrti) for contemplation (dhyāna) and worship (upāsana). 

In practical terms, such depictions aim at bringing harmony and friendship among the Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta theological sects that tend to get to extremist positions "denying" the other deities at times.  These depictions, through their very symbolism restore the balance and point out that all the deities are nothing but manifestations of Brahman, The #Absolute which is Sat-Chit-Ananda. In a sense, this is the theology of #Advaita. 

 #Meenakshi Kalyanam, the grand festive celebration of Meenakshi's  wedding in the world renowned holy temple at #Madurai.