List of Vahanas
| Vahana | Deities associated | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse / shrew named Mushika | Ganesha (pictured) | |
| Horse | Budha, Revanta, Chandra (chariot of 10 white horses), Indra (chariot pulled by a horse named Uchchaihshravas - pictured), Surya (chariot pulled by seven horses or a seven-headed horse), Kubera, Kalki. | |
| Garuda (pictured) | Vishnu, Krishna, Vaishnavi. | |
| Ram | Agni (pictured), Chandra (chariot of 10 rams). | |
| Nandi bull (pictured) | Shiva, Parvati, Maheshvari. | |
| Peacock | Murugan (peacock named Parvani, pictured), Sarasvati, Kaumari | |
| Dog | Bhairava (a form of Shiva pictured with dog in background), Hadkai Maa | |
| Hamsa (bird) or goose or swan (pictured) | Brahma, Sarasvati, Brahmani, Hingraj Mata | |
| Makara | Ganga, Varuna (pictured), Kama | |
| Tiger (a form of the Vahana, Dawon) | Ayyappan, Durga or Parvati (pictured), | |
| Lion (a form of the Vahana, Dawon) | Durga or Parvati, Rahu (blue or black lion), Jagaddhatri (pictured). | |
| Elephant | Lakshmi, Indra (elephant named Airavata, pictured), Indrani, Brihaspati. | |
| Parrot | Kama | |
| Antelope | Chandra (chariot of), Vayu (pictured) | |
| Water Buffalo | Yama (pictured), Varahi, Vihot Mata | |
| Cat | Shashti | |
| Donkey | Kaalratri, Shitala (pictured), Kali (demon) | |
| Owl | Lakshmi (pictured with the owl on her right), Chamunda | |
| Eagle | Ketu | |
| Vulture | Shani | |
| Crow | Shani, Alakshmi, Dhumavati (pictured) | |
| Tortoise | Yamuna (pictured standing on it), Varuna | |
| Cockerel | Bahuchara Mata | |
| Cow | Ushas (chariot of seven cows) | maha gauri |
| Snake | Kamakhya, Manasa (picture) | |
| Pigeon | Rati | - |
| Goats | Pushan (chariot of) | - |
| Crocodile (named as Makara | Shukra, Varuna (pictured) | |
| Camel | Momai Maa (aka Dashaa Maa), Ushtravahini Devi, Kalyana Anajaneya | - |
| Man | Kubera |
These correspondences are not always consistent. Ganesh, for example, is sometimes shown with a peacock as his vehicle, although a peacock is the customary vehicle of his brother Skanda (also known as Kartikeya and other names) as well as the vehicle sometimes associated with the goddess Saraswati. Even more rarely, the elephant-bodied Ganesh maybe seen riding another elephant, or a lion, or a many-headed serpent.
As the assistant of a deity, the vahana serves the function of doubling his or her powers. Durga the warrior could not have destroyed the demon Mahishasura without the aid of her vehicle, Manashthala the lion. Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, dispenses both material and spiritual riches from her mount, Uluka the owl. Ganesh, remover of obstacles, cannot go everywhere despite his elephant-like strength. However, his vehicle, Mushika the mouse or Ulaka the rat, can slide into the smallest crevice and overcome the greatest obstacles.
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