Kubera

Kubera is the Hindu god of wealth and lord of the yakshas, the guardian of the north among the eight Dikpalas. He is shown as a stout, richly dressed figure with a pot of coins or a mongoose, sometimes riding a man or a chariot called Pushpaka. He is worshipped across Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta circles, usually with Lakshmi. In Odisha, Kubera is found as a Dikpala in temple sculpture and is remembered at the festival of lights, Dhanatrayodashi, when households seek prosperity.

The Ramayana and the Puranas describe Kubera as the son of the sage Vishrava and half-brother of Ravana. He ruled the golden city of Lanka until Ravana drove him out and seized his flying chariot, Pushpaka. Kubera then settled at Alaka, near Mount Kailasa, where he became a friend of Shiva and the...