The deities are often accompanied by a ‘vehicle’ or mount, which the deity rides and helps with their identification.

The goose or swan is the mount of Brahmā, the bull Nandi is the mount of Shiva, Garuda is that of Vishnu, the parrot is that of Rati, the goddess of love, peacock is that of Kaumari, the elephant is that of Indrani, the corpse or owl is that of Chamunda, and so on.