Kala Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) , An Integral part of Indonesian Culture

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a creature in Hindu mythology.It is generally described by a combination of two animals (in front of intangible animals such as elephants or crocodiles or deer, or elk) and at the back of the animal described as the water at the tail of a fish or a dragon.

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Relief of Kala Makara at the back of Ganesha Statue , Salatiga  , Central Java , Indonesia

 Relief of Makara at Candi Arjuna,  Dieng Plateau , Central Java , Indonesia

 Relief of Makara at Candi Sambisari, Yogyakarta , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara is a vehicle (vehicle) of Goddess Gangaगंगा  and Varunaवरुण  God. It is also a symbol of the God Kamadevaकामदेव . Kamadeva also known as Makaradhvajaमकरध्वज  (a flag that makara pictured). Capricorn is the zodiac Capricorn, one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. It is often described to protect the entrance to the Hindu and Buddhist temples.

  Makara at the Gate of Infantry Battalion  , Salatiga , Central Java , Indonesia

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara is often portrayed and carved in the temples in Indonesia, especially in Bali and Java. The Balinese call Gajahmina, which literally means "elephant fish". Makara is sometimes described as being intangible half goat and half fish as symbols of the zodiac Capricornus. In the scriptures of the Hindus, Makara is a creature that became the vehicle of Lord Varunaवरुण and Goddess Gangaगंगा.

 Relief of Makara at Candi Gedong Songo , Bandungan , Semarang , Central Java , Indonesia

Makara is also used as a symbol of the University of Indonesia.

(Text adapted from WIKIPEDIA).