Airavata

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In Hinduism, Airavata is a white elephant who carries Lord Indra.

According to the Matangalila, Airavata was born when Brahma sang sacred hymns over the halves of the egg shell from which Garuda hatched, followed by seven more male and eight female elephants. Prithu made Airavata king of all elephants.One of his names means "the one who knits or binds the clouds". This is because these elephants are capable of producing clouds.

Elephant is the mount of each one of the eight guardian deities who preside over the eight points of the compass. The deities presiding over the four cardinal and four intermediate points of the compass are:
1) East - Indra
2) Southeast - Agni
3) South - Yama
4) Southwest - Surya
5) West - Varuna
6) Northwest - Vayu
7) North - Kubera
8) Northeast - Soma
Each of these deities has an elephant that takes part in defense and protection of respective quarter. The chief among this is Airavata of Indra. He is also called 'Ardha-Matanga' meaning elephant of clouds, 'Naga-malla' meaning the fighting elephant and 'Arkasodara' meaning brother of sun. 'Abharamu' is the elephant wife of Airavata.Airavata has four tusks and seven trunks and is spotless white.

The connection of elephants with water and rain is emphasized in the mythology of Indra, who rides the elephant Airavata when he defeats Vritra. This mighty elephant reaches down his trunk into the watery underworld, sucks up its water, and then sprays it into the clouds, which Indra then causes to rain forth cool water, thereby linking the waters of the sky with those of the underworld.Airavata also stands at the entrance to Svarga, Indra's palace.

There is a reference to Airavata in the Bhagvad Gita.

"Of horses, know Me to be the nectar-born Ucchaisravas; of lordly elephants, Airavata and of men, the monarch." (Chapter 10, Verse 27)

At Darasuram near Tanjore is a temple where it is believed that Airavata worshipped the Lingam; the Lingam is named after him as Airavateswara. This temple , which abounds in architectural and rare sculptural specimens of workmanship was built by Rajaraja II (1146-73).

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has declared the Brihadisvara temple of Gangaikondacholapuram in Perambalur district and the Airavatesvara temple of Darasuram in Thanjavur district "world heritage monuments, two examples of grandeur and excellence of Chola architecture and sculpture."