In Hinduism , Lord Hayagriva is an avatar of shri Vishnu . [1] He is worshipped as the God of knowledge and wisdom , with a human body and a horse's head, brilliant white in color , with white garments and seated on a white lotus . Symbolically, the story represents the triumph of pure knowledge, guided by the hand of God, over the demonic forces of passion and darkness. Origins about the worship of Hayagriva have been researched, some of the early evidences dates back to 2,000 BCE, [2] when Indo-Aryan people worshiped the horse for its speed, strength, intelligence. [3] Hayagriva is one of the prominent deity in Vaishnava tradition. His blessings are sought when beginning study of both sacred and secular subjects. Special worship is conducted on the day of the full moon in August (Śravaṇa-Paurṇamī) (his avatāra-dina ) and on Mahanavami , the ninth day of the Navaratri festival. He is also hailed as "Hayasirsa". [4] Hayaśirṣa means haya=Horse, śir