Scientific name

Antilope cervicapra (Linn.)

Common name

Blackbuck / Indian Antelope

Hindi

Kadiyal / Kala hiran

Sanskrit 

Mirga

Telugu

Krishna jinka

Distribution

Plains of India

Religious association

 Vayu Devata

The antelope is the vehicle of Vayu the Wind God and also Soma the divine wine. It is the steed of the Maruts, the storm deities and the son of Rudra and Diti.

The blackbuck is held sacred by the Bishnoi tribe of Rajasthan and by locals in Tumkur district of Karnataka.