Garuda
The Sovereign of the Heavens
In Indian legend, Garuda is the king of birds — the mighty eagle who carries Lord Vishnu across the skies, whose wingbeats were said to shake heaven and earth. To free his mother Vinata, he flew to the heavens, defeated even the gods and brought back the nectar of immortality, becoming a symbol of courage, devotion and protection. Above the forests of the Western Ghats, his kin still circle the high skies, watching over all that grows below.