Images or icons have been found on the entrance walls of the temples, and the graceful mythical lion is believed to protect and guard the temples and ways leading to the temple. Generally they are positioned on both sides of an entrance. In south India, it is very common to find the image of Yalis on entrances of structures (like residential or commercial complexes), in addition to temples.

Saiva texts hold that the unpacified Narasimha avatara of Vishnu was controlled and assimilated by Siva in the form of Sarabesvara (Sanskrit) or the Yaliappar (Tamil) [1]. This can be taken as another proof that the Yali is more powerful than a lion. Iconography can be seen in temples like Madurai Meenakshi temple [2]. However Vaisnavas differ from this version due to the subordinate position given to Vishnu. This form of Siva is considered to be one of the most powerful manifestations of the lord.