Peacock is an Indian bird that has a number of holy associations.
It is the animal chariot of Skanda, Shiva's son and the
commander of the holy army.
The agility and beauty of the pea cock are said to reflect
similar qualities in the young deity.
The peacock is also linked to the Hindu deity Krishna, who
is sometimes pictured wearing a magnificent crown made of peacock feathers.
This link might be due to the peacock's affinity with the
monsoon, which is peacock mating season, when they make piercing sounds in the
woods and are said to dance joyfully on the hillsides.
Krishna's black hue is sometimes compared to rain clouds,
and like a peacock, he spends his evenings dancing in the company of his
followers (bhakta) in the ras lila festival.
