While we encounter many animals as vahanas of the different forms of Hindu deities I am not aware of any references to cats. Can anybody throw light on this? Is there any deity whose vahana is a cat? If not is there a mention anywhere why it is not?


Shashthi goddess is associated with Cats.

Shashthi or Shashti (Sanskrit: षष्ठी, Ṣaṣṭhī, literally "sixth") is a Hindu folk goddess, venerated as the benefactor and protector of children (especially, as the giver of male child). She is also the deity of vegetation and reproduction and is believed to bestow children and assist during childbirth. She is often pictured as a motherly figure, riding a cat and nursing one or more infants. She is symbolically represented in a variety of forms, including an earthenware pitcher, a banyan tree or part of it or a red stone beneath such a tree; outdoor spaces termed shashthitala are also consecrated for her worship. The worship of Shashthi is prescribed to occur on the sixth day of each lunar month of the Hindu calendar as well as on the sixth day after a child's birth. Barren women desiring to conceive and mothers seeking to ensure the protection of their children will worship Shashthi and request her blessings and aid. She is especially venerated in eastern India. Chhath is celebrated in Bihar in honour of her and Surya(sun god), twice in a year(In lunar months of Kartik, given more prominence and other one in Chaitra month.)

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