Yali (Hindu Mythology)

Yali ([jaːɭi]; also known as Vyala or Vidala in Sanskrit) is a mythical creature seen in many Hindu temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. It may be portrayed as part lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes. Also, it has been sometimes described as a leogryph (part lion and part griffin), with some bird-like features.

Yali is a motif in Indian art and it has been widely used in south Indian sculpture. Descriptions of and references to yalis are very old, but they became prominent in south Indian sculpture in the 16th century. Yalis are believed to be more powerful than the lion/Tiger or the elephant.

In its iconography and image the yali has a catlike graceful body, but the head of a lion with tusks of an elephant (gaja) and tail of a serpent. Sometimes they have been shown standing on the back of a makara, another mythical creature. Some images look like three-dimensional representation of yalis. Images or icons have been found on the entrance walls of the temples, and the graceful mythical lion is believed to protect and guard the temples and ways leading to the temple. They usually have the stylized body of a lion and the head of some other beast, most often an elephant (gaja-vyala). Other common examples are: the lion-headed (simha-vyala), horse-(ashva-vyala), human-(nir-vyala) and the dog-headed (shvana-vyala) ones.

Yali is found as stone carvings in numerous temples in Tamil Nadu and across South India, including the Kailasanathar Temple, Tharamangalam, Salem district, Tamil Nadu.

Yali pillars at Vittala temple at Hampi, Karnataka state, India

Yali pillars at Ananthasayana temple, Ananthasayanagudi, Karnataka state, India

Yali pillars at Krishna temple at Hampi, Karnataka state, India

Yali pillars at Bhoganandishvara temple in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

Yali pillars at the Ranganatha temple in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

Pillars with Yali and Kudure Gombe ("horse doll") at Ranganatha temple, Rangasthala, Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

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