Design Resource
Iconography in Hinduism
Decoding the Pictorial Script
by
Vahana
Vahana (mount or vehicle) of Gods
Vahana is the creature that serves as the vehicle and sign of a particular deity in Hindu Mythology.These may be animals, birds or human beings. Each God in the Hindu pantheon has at least one vahana, although many Gods have multiple vahanas. The vahana accompanies, pulls the chariot of, or serves as the seat or mount of his god.
Resources
Harshananda, S. (1982). Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math.
Jagannathan, S. (1984). Hinduism: An Introduction. Bombay: Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd.
Mitchell, A. (1998). Hindu Gods and Goddesses. New Delhi: USB Publishers’ Distributors Ltd.
Parthasarathy, A. (2007). The Symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals. Mumbai: A. Parthasarathy.
Varshney, D. (1990). Myth and Symbols in Hindu Mythology. Delhi: Ajanta Publications (India).
Wilkins, W. (1882). Hindu Mythology. New Delhi: Rupa. co.
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 01 May. 2012
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/621537/vahana>.