These divine vehicles of Hindu gods are associated with them for they perfectly complement the deities they are associated with.

Here are some Divine Vahanas of different Hindu gods and goddesses and the symbolism behind them.

1. Lord Shiva and Nandi

Lord Shiva, a supreme god of destruction and regeneration, is also depicted riding Nandi, the sacred bull. Nandi is a loyal mount and protector.

There are many stories related to the choice of Nandi as Shiva’s mount, but there are 2 most famous ones. One story says that Nandi represents strength, loyalty, and fertility. Lord Shiva is connected to fertility, which fits his role in the process of creation and destruction.

Another story is about how Nandi was sage Shilda’s son who performed great prayers to Lord Shiva and then was given the boon of being immortal and Shiva’s vahana all his life.

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2. Shani and his crow

Lord Shani is thought to have several Vahanas, but the crow is the most well-known. Lord Shani is the god of justice and crow as his vahana has many meanings. The main planetary deity in Hindu astrology is often shown with a crow as his Vahana. The crow is a symbol of keen perception and intelligence, maintaining keen eyes in the human world. Shani dev is also feared for his strict judgments and influence on human destinies, the crow keeps an eye on the world to aid him in his decision.

The crow comes in the form of being seen as messengers of death. Another belief is that crows are messengers of death and Shani dev is a part of the cycle of life and death of humans.

3. Indra has Airavata elephant

Indra is the ruler of heaven and the god of thunder and rain, often seen with an elephant named Airavata. Airavata is a white elephant, representing purity, strength, and prosperity. He is a god of rainfall and fertility, and his choice of elephant vahana is linked with the creature’s association with water and prosperity.

It is also believed that Airavata serves as the protector of "Swarglok," and Indra is considered the ruler of that realm.

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4. Maa Durga and her Lion

Maa Durga is a divine feminine power. She rides a lion as her Vahana, which symbolizes strength and bravery. She associates with the lion as a symbol of her fierce and protective nature, as she also depicted killing demons and protecting the world from evil forces. Riding a lion, Goddess Durga symbolizes the great feminine energy capable of overcoming hardships.

5. Goddess Saraswati and her Swan

Maa Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and the arts, usually shown with a swan as her companion. Swan as a vahana represents purity, grace, and the ability to discriminate between right and evil.

It is also believed that Swan is the epitome of discipline and purity. Maa Saraswati is the goddess of learning and education, two main aspects of all student’s lives, so the swan helps Maa Saraswati’s belief in following the right paths.  

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