My fascination for Liminal beings is well known in my circle. I prefer to believe in Gods such as Lord Narasimha or Hanuman, whose includes parts of more than one species. Thankfully for me, Hindu mythology is rich with liminal beings—mythical creatures, chimeras, and sometimes, monsters. Creatures such as Uchchaihshravas (the seven-headed horse that emerged during the Samudra Manthan) and Gandaberunda (the two-headed bird possessing immense strength) are multi-headed. Others, like the Yazhi, Makara, and Navagunjara, are chimeras of various animals. Hindu temples serve as records of these fascinating creatures, preserving their forms, textures, and embellishments, and keeping their memory alive.
Discovering Yazhis in Kanchipuram
During Christmas this year, I took my parents on an impromptu temple tour of Kanchipuram—the city of silks and temples—where we visited 15 temples in a 20-hour span. Our first stop was the famous Kailasanathar Temple, a prototype of Pallava architecture, showcasing its spectacular nature. It is said that King Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II) was not only the patron but also the designer of this temple. Historians believe he drew sketches of the entire temple, panel by panel, on large screens to show the sculptors and builders his exact vision.
The temple is adorned with numerous statues of lions and majestic Yazhis. I resolved at that point to write about them.
What is a Yazhi?
A Yazhi, or Yali (pronounced YA-lee and unrelated to the Navajo name), is a mythical creature that is a chimera of a lion, elephant, and snake. It may have the face, paws, claws, and tail of a lion; the fangs of a snake; and the body, hind legs, and trunk of an elephant. Sometimes referred to as Vyalas, they are known for their ferocity, speed, and strength. A Yazhi embodies the male aggression of a lion, the grace of a snake, and the intelligence of an elephant. The closest English term that I can think of is a Leogryph.
As a transmuted animal, the Yazhi is believed to be stronger than a lion or an elephant combined, which is why it was used as a war mount. In this era of gene modification, I sometimes wonder: were Yazhis created as a fighting force, or did such creatures exist and become extinct over time?
Types of Yazhis and their form
While there are many forms of Yazhis, three types are commonly seen in temple architecture:
- Simha or Lion Yazhi (சிம்ம யாளி),
- Makara or Capricorn Yazhi (மகர யாளி), and
- Yannai or Elephant Yazhi (யானை யாளி).
Some texts also mention horse-headed, human-headed, or dog-headed Yazhis, though I have not encountered these personally.
My colleague recently mentioned the Yazhi pillars of the Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli, said to be inspired by the bamboo shoots of the Venu Vanam (bamboo grove) that once surrounded the Swayambhu (self-created) Linga of Lord Shiva. Some sculptures depict Yazhis as wild animals in a standing or sitting pose. However, others show them as tamed creatures, adorned with fabrics and jewellery.
Could Yazhis have been decorated with bells, necklaces, and laces, much like horses and elephants were during ceremonial processions? The bells and leg ornaments on the standing Yazhis I saw at the Kailasanathar Temple suggest they were once adorned for festivals, adding to their mystical allure.
A Legend of the Yazhi and the Veena
There is a legend that connects aYazhi to the Saraswati Veena. According to this story discussed with gusto in a particular Google Group, Goddess Saraswati subdued a menacing, dragon-like creature with her music. Enraptured by the sound, the creature pleaded to always remain in contact with music and the musicians who create it. To honour this request, the creature’s head was incorporated into the design of the Veena.
South East Asian Aesthetics
I also noticed similarities between the Yazhi sculptures of South Indian temples and the lion-dragon statues I saw in Bangkok, reflecting the shared cultural heritage of ancient South Indian kingdoms and those of present-day Southeast Asia. Despite differences in aesthetic styles, the influence of Yazhi-like figures in both regions suggests a cross-cultural exchange, perhaps an example of the trickle-across theory, which promotes fusion in styling and design.
Temples with Yazhi Pillars
Some notable temples in South India where Yazhi pillars can be found include:
- Tamil Nadu: Nellaiappar Temple (Tirunelveli), Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, Kailasanathar, Vaikunta Perumal, Ulagalantha Perumal, Varadharajar Perumal temples in Kanchipuram, and the Thiruvanamalai Temple.
- Karnataka: Ranganatha and Bhoganandishvara Temples (Chikkaballapur), Vitalla Temple (Hampi).
- Orissa – Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar.
Meaning and Metaphors
In temple architecture, Yazhis are carved into pillars for three main purposes:
- As a decorative element,
- To showcase man’s struggle with nature (in sculptures where a man is depicted riding a Yazhi), and
- To stimulate discussions on creativity, imagination, and uniqueness.
A Yazhi is a creature that is constantly evolving, neither this nor that, embodying nature’s transformative behaviour. It personifies victory, greatness, evolution, and resilience.
Functions of Yazhis
Sculptures of the Yazhi are commonly positioned on either side of temple entrances, shrines, and temple chariots to ward off evil. They are often referred to as protectors of the temple and its lands. One particular image shows Yazhis used as vahanams (processional rides) for the utsava murthi of Vishnu at the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram. In ancient times, the Yazhi was the mount of Budh (the planet Mercury) and was said to be genderless. I once used an image of a Yazhi from Ganjifa cards in my Navagraha necklace, part of my Chitra Katha collection from 2014.
Yazhi as a Motif in textiles and Jewellery
Due to its fascinating form, the Yazhi has frequently been used as a motif in textiles, particularly in silk saree borders, as well as in jewellery, where it is prized for its unique design. I have used Yazhi motif in my Patinam and Parampare jewellery collections. You can also find a selection of Yazhi picture jewellery in Bherunda.
Conclusion
This post was born out of a sense of duty to document the precious cultural heritage of my country. Just before this temple tour, a student approached me with questions about Kemp jewellery, as she was working on a collection inspired by the Yazhi. She sheepishly admitted that her research was based on my blog. This reminder of my role as a designer and teacher compelled me to delve deeper into the subject.
I am not an expert on the topic, and these are simply my personal observations collected over years of temple visits, storytelling, and secondary research. I welcome readers to share their thoughts, comments, and any corrections they may have.
References: Most web references have been linked to in the body of the text itself. Here are more links for additional reading. Post and links updated in 2024.
- Mythical creatures from Hindu mythology
- Yali on temple pillars
- There are several fictional books (in Tamil) which includes Yazhis as central characters. One such example is Yazhi by Mani Thanigai Kumar.
I hope you found it interesting
Cheers
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