murals, and temple decorations.

Japanese GIGAKU Masks of Karura
At the Tokyo National Museum
Gigaku 伎楽 = Masked theatrical performances.In Japan, Karura 迦楼羅 also refers to a gigakumen 伎楽面 (gigaku mask) representing the mythical bird and used in a gigaku bird dance that was performed during the 8th to 12th century.

From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellationAquila and the Brahminy kite is considered to be the contemporary representation of Garuda.[1] Indonesia adopts a more stylistic approach to the Garuda’s depiction as its national symbol, where it depicts an eagle (being much larger than a kite).[2]

In Hinduism

In Hindu religion, Garuda is a lesser Hindudivinity, usually the mount (vahanam) of the God Vishnu. Garuda is depicted as having the golden body of a strong man with a whiteface, red wings, and an eagle’s beak and with a crown on his head. This ancient deity was said to be massive, large enough to block out the sun.

Garuda is known as the eternal sworn enemy of the Nāga serpent race and known for feeding exclusively on snakes, such behavior may have referred to the actual Short-toed Eagle of India. The image of Garuda is often used as the charm or amulet to protect the bearer from snake attack and its poison, since the king of birds is an implacable enemy and “devourer of serpent”. Garudi Vidya is the mantra against snake poison to remove all kinds of evil.[3]

His stature in Hindu religion can be gauged by the fact that an independent Upanishad, the Garudopanishad, and a Purana,