Vahanas of Hindu Deities

Hindu deities mount and travel on animals which are their vahana. They are always depicted with them. We must therefore respect all these animals too.

 

Deity Vahana
Aditya Seven Horses
Agni Ram
Alakshmi Crow
Ayyappan Horse
Bahuchara Mata Cockerel
Bhairava Dog
Brahma Seven Swans or Hamsa
Brahmani Hamsa or Swan
Brihaspati Elephant
Budha Horse
Chamunda Owl
Chandra Ten White Horses, Ten Rams and Antelope
Dashaa Maa Camel
Dhavdi  Rhinoceros
Dhumavati Crow
Durga Lion or Dawon
Ganesha Rat or Mouse
Ganga Makara (sea creature)
Hadkai Maa Dog
Hingraj Mata Hamsa or Swan
Indra White Elephant and Horse
Indrani Elephant
Jagaddhatri Lion or Dawon
Kaalrati Donkey
Kali (demon) Donkey
Kalki Horse
Kama Parrot and Makara
Kamakhya Snake
Kartikya Peacock
Ketu Eagle
Khandoba Dog
Khodiyar Crocodile
Khodiyar Maa Makara
Krishna Garuda (Humanoid Eagle)
Kubera Horse and Man
Kaumari Peacock
Lakshmi Owl and Elephant
Maheshvari Nandi Bull
Manasa Snake
Mariamman Lion or Dawon
Meladi Maa Goats
Momai Maa Camel
Narmada Makara
Parvati  Nandi Bull and Lion or Dawon
Pushan Goats
Rahu Lion (blue or black)
Rati Pigeon
Revanta Horse
Saraswati Hamsa or Swan Peacock
Shakti Bull
Shani Crow and Vulture
Shashthi Cat
Sheetala Donkey
Shiva Nandi Bull
Surya Seven Horses
Svapathi Dog
Ushas Seven Cows
Ushtravahini Devi Camel
Vaishnavi Garuda
Varahi Water Buffalo
Varuna  Seven Swans, Tortoise and Makara
Vayu Thousand Horses and Antelope
Vihot Mata Water Buffalo
Vishnu Garuda and Serpent
Vishwakarma Elephant
Yama Male Water Buffalo
Yamuna Tortoise

Note:
Hanuman, the monkey god, does not have a vahana.


The depiction of a Hindu deity using an animal or mythical entity as a vahana should obviously not be a reason to justify using animals for the purpose of travelling. The depiction itself may be symbolic rather than factual with the animals being ridden representing the qualities that the particular deity has mastered. For example, Goddess Durga mastered anger & ferociousness, Lord Ganesha mastered stealth, Lord Kartikya mastered pride and arrogance, Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva mastered indolence, Lord Bhairava mastered death, and so on.

Page last updated on 29/09/21