The present work is a thematic delimitation on a minor deity, Garuda. Though Garuda is one among the amsavataras of Visnu, came to be elevated to a higher level. The book systematically traces the mythology of Garuda from puranic sources. There is an exclusive chapter on the various literary works that go after Garuda such as Garudagayatri. However, the most important contribution is the reflection of Garuda in the plastic and pictorial arts of the Indian sub-continent. The roots of Garuda in Indian art has been traced and its impression in early medieval art such of Calukya and Pallava examined. The high-pitch of the Garuda cult is taken down to the Vijayanagara-Nayaka art.

Garuda is assigned the same status in Visnu temples as Nandi in an axial alignment with Siva/Linga. The last chapter deals with the images of Garuda in Greater Indian art, including countries such as Nepal, Cambodia and Jawa.