Have you ever paused in front of a temple pillar and wondered about that strange creature carved into the stone?

A lion-like face, an elephant’s curved trunk, the body of a horse, a tail that coils like a serpent. Most of us walk past it without realising we are looking at one of the most intriguing symbols of South Indian temple architecture.

This creature is the Yali found in temples across Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. It appears fierce, majestic and mysterious, yet its origins reach deep into mythology, philosophy, and the way ancient sculptors understood the balance of power.

According to tradition, the Yali is linked to a moment in mythology when Vishnu, having taken the Narasimha form to kill Hiranyakashipu, continued burning with uncontrollable rage even after the demon’s end. No deity, no plea, and no weapon could calm him. The gods eventually turned to Shiva, who first sent warriors, then messengers, and finally transformed himself into Sharabha - a colossal, multi-limbed creature embodying the strength of several animals. When Sharabha faced Narasimha, the fury slowly began to dissolve. Not through battle, but through the reminder that even divine power has boundaries.

Temple builders carried this lesson into stone. The Yali, with its blended features of lion, elephant, horse, serpent, and sometimes human, became a symbol of protection, a creature powerful enough to guard the sacred space, and wise enough to remind worshippers that unchecked strength can only be balanced by a greater cosmic force.






Over time, many different forms of the Yali emerged in temple sculpture, each with its own symbolism:

Simha Yali – Recognisable for its lion-like head, often shown standing over an elephant, representing courage and guardianship.

Gaja Yali – With an elephant’s head and lion’s body, symbolising intelligence, strength and steady leadership.

Nara Yali – A form with a human face on a lion’s body, protecting knowledge, virtue and righteousness.

Mrga Yali – Blending the horns of a deer with a lion’s form, representing alertness, speed and wisdom.

Svana Yali – With the head of a dog, reflecting loyalty, vigilance and fierce protection.

Sardula Yali – A tiger-headed form embodying raw power and beauty.

Mesha Yali – With a sheep’s head and a rider on its back, symbolising purity, sacrifice and unity.

Asva Yali – Bearing the head of a horse, representing stamina, courage and the unstoppable spirit of a warrior.

Gandaki Yali – A rhinoceros-headed version, formidable and solitary, crushing evil beneath its feet.

Marjara Yali – With the head of a cat, signifying cunning, precision and quick reflexes.

Vrika Yali – A wolf-headed protector standing against destructive forces.

Sarpa Yali – A snake-headed form representing mortality, transformation and the cycle of creation and destruction.

In temple architecture, the Yali is more than a decorative sculpture. It can be seen at entrances, on pillars and corridors, silently watching over the space. It is often said to be stronger than the lion and the elephant combined.

Ancient sculptors also carved Yalis onto the entrances of homes, mandapams and more recently, even modern buildings in India, continuing a tradition that spans centuries.





So the next time you walk into a temple, look closely at the pillars.

The creature with wide eyes, open jaws and a curling tail is telling a story : one of power, restraint, protection and balance. It stands as a reminder that no matter how mighty one becomes, the universe always holds a greater force that keeps all things in harmony.


Source / Image Credit : Kanakavalli , MAP Academy, Om Spiritual Shop, Ramanisblog