Indian mythology seems to have a lot of mythical creatures. A closer observation at the puranas and vedas throws up a whole lot of unique creatures.
1.Ahi
Ahi also known as Vritra or Vitra, is a huge dragon in Indian mythology. It is a drought-dragon and it brings misfortune. According to the legends, once Ahi drank all the water on earth and curled itself to sleep around a mountain. The ancient god Trita, which was later replaced by Indra, killed this demon while it was sleeping using the thunderbolt. Thus, water was released and fertility and life was restored.
2.Yaksha
Yaksha, also spelled yaksa, Sanskrit masculine singular yakṣa, Sanskrit feminine singular yakṣī or yakṣinī, in the mythology of India, a class of generally brave but sometimes mischievous, have sudden change in behavior, sexually aggressive, or even murderous nature spirits who are the custodians of treasures that are hidden in the earth and in the roots of trees. They are powerful magicians and shape-shifters.
3.Makara
Makara is a legendary sea-creature in Indian mythology Makara are considered guardians of gateways and thresholds, protecting throne rooms as well as entryways to temples; it is the most commonly recurring creature in Hindu and Buddhist temple. It has been depicted as half mammal and half fish. It is also shown in some scriptures with head and jaws of a crocodile, an elephant trunk with scales of fish and a peacock tail. It has a place in twelve zodiac symbols. Capricorn, the twelfth zodiac symbol is Makara.
4.Airavat
It literally means one produced from water. Airavat represents an elephant with 4 trunks, is pure white in color and has wings. It came out of the water when gods churned the oceans according to Hindu mythology. It is vehicle of Indra, the god of rain. The eight directions of compass have eight guardian deities in the myth. Each of them has elephant as their vehicle. Airavta is the chief among all the elephants.
5. Yali
It is portrayed as part lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes. Yali sculptures are widely used on the walls and pillars of South Indian temples. It is said to have the strength, ferociousness and speed of a lion. The legends say that Yali roamed about in jungles and feared none. Hence it is sculpted at the entrance of temples and homes to keep away evil. One of the popular story of states that Yali was subdued by Narasimha Avatar of Lord Vishnu, one of the holy trinity.
6. Kamdenu
Kamadhenu is a cow and described in Hindu mythology as the mother of all cows. She is miraculous and provides whatever is desired by the owner. Kamadhenu is often portrayed as the mother of other cattle. She is generally depicted as white in color containing various deities within her body. All cows are looked upon as the earthly embodiment of the Kamadhenu in Hinduism.
7. Garuda
Garuda literally means eagle. It has head and wings of an eagle and rest of body of a man. It is known a king of birds. Garuda has references in several well-known scriptures like Ramayana. It is vehicle of lord Vishnu, one of the holy trinity. The bird is not independently worshiped but with lord Vishnu. In pictures, he is depicted carrying lord Vishnu back to the skies.
8.Timingila
In Sanskrit, ‘timi’ is whale and ‘gila’ means swallow. Timingila is a gigantic sea serpent from Indian mythology. It is said to be so big that it could easily swallow a whale. It has been mentioned in both Ramayana and Mahabharata.
9.Kirtimukha
Kirtimukha (kīrtimukha, also kīrttimukha compound translating to “glorious face”) is the name of a swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth, very common in the icon of temple architecture in India and Southeast Asia
Unlike other Hindu legendary creatures, for example the Makara sea-monster, the kirtimukha is essentially an ornamental art which has its origin in a legend from the Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana – Yuddha khand of Rudra Samhita.
10.Nandi
Nandi is the guardian deity of Kailash, the vehicle of Lord Shiva in the Hindu religion. He is usually depicted as a bull. The decorated bull Gangi Reddu is the tradition of ancient South India. Nandi is considered to hold truth and righteousness.
Let me know if you know anymore mythological creature.
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Disclaimer : Credit of pictures goes to respective artists.
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