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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Religion & Mythology

Which Animal Mount Belongs to Each Hindu God? Take the Quiz!

Test your Hindu deity animal mounts knowledge - Dive in now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration Hindu gods vahanas on golden yellow background for quiz on deity animal mounts

This Hindu Gods Vehicles Quiz helps you match each deity with the right vahana (animal mount). Play through quick prompts, from Kartikeya's peacock to Shiva's bull, Nandi, to polish your recall. If you like our myths quiz or the deity identification quiz , try to name them all.

What is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Ganesha?
Eagle
Mouse
Lion
Peacock
Lord Ganesha's mount is a small mouse named Mushika, symbolizing the ability to penetrate the smallest and most secret spaces, paralleling Ganesha's role as a remover of obstacles. The mouse's humble nature underscores the deity's accessibility and humility. This pairing highlights that even the smallest creature has significance in divine play. .
Which animal serves as the vahana of Lord Shiva?
Nandi the Bull
Elephant
Peacock
Tiger
Shiva's vahana is Nandi, the sacred bull, who symbolizes strength, righteousness, and the divine connection between devotee and deity. Nandi represents both virility and self-discipline, reflecting Shiva's ascetic nature. Devotees often see marble Nandi statues facing Shiva shrines to acknowledge this bond. .
Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and arts, rides which creature?
Swan
Peacock
Horse
Owl
Goddess Saraswati rides a graceful swan known as Hamsa, symbolizing purity, wisdom, and the power of discernment between right and wrong. The Hamsa's mythic ability to separate milk from water represents the deep insight and knowledge Saraswati bestows. This mount underscores her role as the goddess of learning and creative arts. .
What is the traditional vahana of Goddess Lakshmi?
Owl
Bull
Mouse
Swan
Goddess Lakshmi is commonly depicted riding an owl called Uluka, symbolizing wisdom, the ability to see through darkness, and vigilance over wealth. The owl's watchful gaze reminds devotees to use prosperity responsibly and with insight. This contrasts with Lakshmi's association with abundance, indicating that true wealth requires wisdom. .
Which vahana is associated with Lord Vishnu?
Bull
Garuda (Eagle)
Peacock
Elephant
Lord Vishnu's mount is Garuda, a mighty eagle-like bird symbolizing speed, martial prowess, and the ability to conquer evil forces. Garuda's legendary feats include rescuing his mother from slavery and serving as Vishnu's loyal messenger. This vahana underscores Vishnu's role as the preserver and protector of the cosmos. .
What is the vahana of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda)?
Peacock
Owl
Swan
Mouse
Lord Kartikeya, also known as Skanda or Murugan, rides a peacock named Paravani. The peacock's vibrant plumage represents beauty and splendor, while its snake-crushing ability reflects Kartikeya's role as a victorious warrior. This mount highlights his martial attributes and divine leadership. .
King of the gods, Indra, is mounted on which creature?
Peacock
Garuda
Mouse
Airavata the Elephant
Indra rides Airavata, the majestic white elephant that emerged during the churning of the ocean. Airavata symbolizes strength, royalty, and fertility, paralleling Indra's control over rain and storms. The elephant's multiple trunks and great size further underscore cosmic power. .
Goddess Durga is famously depicted riding which animal?
Bull
Horse
Lion
Elephant
Goddess Durga rides a lion, representing courage, strength, and sovereignty. The lion emphasizes her prowess as a fierce protector who vanquishes demonic forces. Artistic depictions celebrate the lion to symbolize divine fearlessness. .
Which creature serves as the vahana of Yama, the god of death?
Eagle
Peacock
Lion
Buffalo
Yama, the god of death and the underworld, rides a buffalo. The buffalo symbolizes the inevitability of death and the darker aspects of life that Yama governs. The choice of a formidable animal underscores Yama's authority over karmic judgment. .
Varuna, god of the oceans, is depicted on which mythical creature?
Swan
Makara
Elephant
Bull
Varuna's vahana is Makara, a mythical sea creature often described as part crocodile, part fish. Makara symbolizes the unpredictability and power of water, reinforcing Varuna's dominion over aquatic realms. The creature embodies both danger and life-giving properties of the oceans. .
Kubera, the god of wealth, is often shown with which animal as his mount or companion?
Mongoose
Mouse
Peacock
Elephant
Kubera is often associated with a mongoose, symbolizing his triumph over greed as the creature swallows poisonous snakes representing negativity. This connection highlights Kubera's role in governing prosperity and protecting wealth. Artistic depictions sometimes show a mongoose at Kubera's side, emphasizing vigilance and abundance. .
Kala Bhairava, a fierce form of Shiva, rides which animal?
Dog
Tiger
Elephant
Bull
Kala Bhairava's vahana is a dog, symbolizing loyalty and vigilant protection. The dog's alertness aligns with Bhairava's role as guardian of the sacred and time. This vahana embodies Bhairava's watchfulness over time and space. .
Which deity rides the Hamsa (swan) as their vahana?
Lakshmi
Shiva
Vishnu
Brahma
Lord Brahma, the creator in the Hindu trinity, rides a swan called Hamsa which symbolizes discernment and spiritual wisdom. Hamsa's mythic ability to separate milk from water represents the soul's power to distinguish truth from illusion. Brahma's association with this bird underscores his role as the source of cosmic knowledge. .
Shani, the deity associated with justice and planetary influence, rides which creature?
Crow
Buffalo
Horse
Elephant
Shani rides a crow or raven as his vahana, symbolizing the swift delivery of karmic justice and vigilant oversight of one's actions. The crow's dark color and keen vision represent impartiality and the uncovering of hidden truths. Iconography commonly depicts Shani seated atop this bird, reinforcing his role as an unbiased arbiter. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Vahanas -

    Learn to recognize the animal mounts of key Hindu deities like Shiva's bull Nandi, Durga's lion, and Ganesha's mouse.

  2. Explain Symbolic Significance -

    Understand the deeper meanings behind each vahana and how they represent divine qualities and cosmic principles in Hindu mythology.

  3. Analyze Mythological Connections -

    Explore the relationships between Hindu gods and their vahanas to see how these pairings illustrate the deities' powers and domains.

  4. Recall Deity - Mount Associations -

    Improve memory retention of Hindu deity animal mounts, helping you ace trivia questions and quizzes on Hindu mythology.

  5. Connect Cultural Contexts -

    Discover how vahanas feature in rituals, art, and storytelling, providing insight into their role in Hindu worship and cultural traditions.

  6. Apply Knowledge in Quizzes -

    Use your newfound understanding of Hindu gods and their vahanas to confidently tackle trivia, quizzes, and discussions about animal vehicles of Hindu gods.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Shiva's Nandi, the Sacred Bull -

    Known from Puranic texts such as the Shiva Purana and university Indology courses, Nandi symbolizes strength and dharma, carrying Lord Shiva across the cosmos. Remember "NANDI" = "Noble And Devoted Invariably," a mnemonic linking the bull's unwavering loyalty to Shiva. When tackling the Hindu Gods Vehicles Quiz, spotting the bull silhouette instantly ties you to Shiva's domain of destruction and regeneration.

  2. Durga's Tiger: The Roaring Protector -

    Described in the Devi Mahatmya and supported by academic studies on goddess worship, Durga rides a tiger or lion, embodying raw power and fearlessness. Visualize "Tiger = Triumph In Goddess's Endless Radiance," reinforcing her victory over chaos. This vivid image is key when answering questions about Hindu deity animal mounts in mythology trivia.

  3. Vishnu's Garuda, the Divine Eagle -

    Referenced in the Vishnu Purana and confirmed by Oxford Oriental Studies, Garuda represents speed and martial prowess, serving as Vishnu's mount in cosmic battles. Use the formula G.A.R.U.D.A. = "Guardian And Rapid Uplifter Delivering Avatars" to recall this eagle's protective role. This helps breeze through the Animal vehicles of Hindu gods section of the quiz.

  4. Ganesha's Mooshak, the Clever Mouse -

    Found in the Ganesha Purana and scholarly journals on symbolism, the mouse signifies humility and the ability to navigate the smallest spaces of the mind. Think "MOUSE = Modest, Observant, Unassuming, Swift Explorer," a mnemonic that bridges deity worship and cognitive imagery. This quirky trick makes recalling Hindu deity animal mounts playful and intuitive.

  5. Kartikeya's Peacock, the Radiant Warbird -

    Documented in the Skanda Purana and temple inscriptions studied in academic research, Kartikeya's peacock stands for beauty, pride, and victory over ego. Recall "PEACOCK = Proud Entity Advancing Courageously Over Crises Kindly," aligning the bird's vibrant plumage with divine valor. This tactic gives you confidence when naming every vahana in your next Hindu Gods Vehicles Quiz.

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