Vahanas of Hindu Gods Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bull

The name of the vahana of the Lord Shiva is Nandi, which is a bull. A bull is a strong animal, therefore it symbolizes virility. Shiva is the god of destruction. It is believed that Shiva along with Nandi stays in the Kailash Parvat (parvat is a mountain).

Answer: Elephant

Lord Indra rides on a white elephant that is named Airavata. Airavata is the Lord of elephants. Interestingly, Airavata is a winged elephant. Lord Indra is the god of rain and thunderstorms. It is believed that Airavata creates rain by sucking water through its trunk and then sprinkling it on Earth.

Answer: Mouse

Musaka or mouse is the vahana of the Lord Ganesha. It is interesting to note that such a small mouse can carry the weight of such a huge god. Actually in a previous life, musaka was a god named Kroncha. He was cursed by a saint Vamadeva, and then decided to be the Ganesha's vehicle.

Answer: Peacock

Lord Kartikeya is the god of war. Lord Kartikeya is the brother of Lord Ganesha. Both Ganesha and Kartikeya are the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

It is believed that the peacock, vehicle of Kartikeya signifies that warriors should forgo all their sexual desires.

Answer: Ram

Lord Agni or Agni Deva (deva means god) is the god of fire. He rides on a ram which is a sacrificial animal. It is believed that Lord Agni was born from a lotus created by the Lord Brahma.

Answer: Owl

Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity. She is the wife of Lord Vishnu who rides on Garuda (an eagle-like creature). Goddess Lakshmi's vehicle, owl, symbolizes wisdom, patience and intelligence.

Answer: Lion

Goddess Durga rides on the king of the jungle, lion. Durga is the goddess of war. She is also considered as the mother of the universe. Durga riding on a lion symbolizes that she has tamed qualities such as lust and greed.

Goddess Durga has nine forms which are worshipped on each day in the festival of Navaratri (meaning festival of nine nights).

Answer: Swan

Swan or Hamsa (in Hindi) is the vahana of Lord Brahma. Brahma is believed to be the creator of the Universe. It is believed that the swan can separate milk and water.

Answer: Swan

Swan or Hamsa (in Hindi) is also the vahana of Goddess Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, art and music. She is worshipped on the day of Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Pooja. Vasant means spring, panchami means fifth day, while pooja means worship.

Answer: Male buffalo

Lord Yama is the god of death. He rides on a black male buffalo. His buffalo is said to be a symbol of justice.