Kalyana vratam is one of the eight auspicious Vratas referred in the Skanda Purana. When the sun shines on the Pisces sign (Mina Rashi) in the month of Phalguni (mid March to mid April) on the Utthara Nakshatram in Shukla Paksham (growing phase of moon), the Vrata is observed. This day is believed to be the auspicious moments when Shakthi, the daughter of Himavaan married lord Shiva after a great austerity. The day is also observed for marriage of lord Muruga and Devaseenaa. The rule of the Vratam is explained in Skanda puranam.

In the morning of the Vrata-day the devotee gets up and meditates on charming Lord Shiva in the wedding posture with Uma. After taking the bath the devotee should worship the Lord. Those who can afford, anoint the golden idol of God and Goddesses devotionally with holy substances. After decorating the idol the holy marriage of lord and his consort is observed. One should salute the divine parents with nice and sweet offerings. The spiritual people, who always think of gods, learnt the Vedas and are followers of Lord Shiva are invited along with their wives and are offered a feast. The devotees later go to the Shiva Temple, worship, circumambulate three times and prostrate in front of the lord. At night all the devotees of Lord Shiva dine together and eat the sweet dishes like fruits and Payasam (a sweet dish made of milk) They should sleep on Dharbari grass. The next morning after regular deeds the devotees donate the golden idol of God and Goddesses to the pious people who are also the followers of Lord Shiva. The devotees should eat once that day also.

One can get the boon of lord Shiva-Sankara by observing this Kalyana Vrata. It would bring much joy and wealth in their territorial life as well as give them liberation after death and lead their soul to the abode of Lord Shiva (Shivaloka). MahaVishnu could marry Shri Lakshmi by observing this vrata, Brahma wedded Saraswati, Indra wedded indrani, Moon wedded the twenty-seven stars and sage Agastiya wedded Lobhamudra. The two daughters of Vishnu namely Amritavalli and Saundaryavalli were married to six faced lord as Devasena and Valli. The two daughters of sage Satyapurana were wedded to Mahasashtha, Kama married to Rathi, Sita got Rama, Jambhabhati got Lord Krishna and sage Saupari got many princess to marry. There are so many other examples, which increase the glory of this Vrata. The man who observes this Vrata would get a beautiful girl to marry and women would be married to the men they like. The couple that observes this Vrata will get good offsprings and anybody who observes this Vrata will get the lord`s grace.

The auspicious Kalyana Vrata of wedding of Parvati and Paremeshvara is celebrated as the festival of colors or Holi, which is preceded by the festival Kamadahanam on which day Kama was burnt by the fire of rage of supreme Lord Shiva. Kama or cupid tried wrongly to induce the lust of god itself. On the request of Parvati and other gods lord brought Kama back to life during the celebration of Holi.