Makara

Makara (Sanskrit मकर makara m.) is an Indian name, used by the Indian Vedic tradition. Most of these names are roughly 3000 years old and pre-date Hinduism but were taken over by it. It refers to a constellation in Capricornus.

Concordance, Etymology, History

A makara is a mythical fusion of different animals. Above is one with tail of a peacock, body of a lion, face of a crocodile. It is depicted as a vahana (ride) (CC BY Subbhashinee S).

A "makara" is a mythological figure, a mixed mythical sea creature in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Frequently, it is depicted as a hybrid with the body of a crocodile, fish, or seal, and the head of an elephant, stag, or deer. It serves as the vahana (mount) for the river goddess Ganga and the ocean god Varuna. As a guardian of gateways and temples, it symbolizes protection, transformation, and the unity of nature's forces.

Religion/ Tales/ Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

References

• References (general)