'Vahana' denotes the being, typically an animal or mythical entity, a particular Hindu deity is said to use as a vehicle. In this capacity, the vahana is often called the deity's "mount". Upon the partnership between the deity and his vahana is woven much iconography and mythology.
"Daughter of the Mountain" - The goddess that is Shiva's wife in her most gentle form is called Parvati. Parvati is depicted as a beautiful woman. Her vahana is a lion.
Photo taken at Kumortuli, Kolkata
f/4.5, 1/60sec, 18mm, ISO-1400