Ḫaldi

Who is Ḫaldi?

Ḫaldi was one of the three chief deities of Ararat. His shrine was at Ardini.

The other two chief deities were Theispas of Kumenu, and Shivini of Tushpa.

Of all the gods of Ararat panthenon, the most inscriptions are dedicated to him. His wife was the goddess Arubani. He is portrayed as a man with or without a beard, standing on a lion.

Khaldi was a warrior god whom the kings of Urartu would pray to for victories in battle. The temples dedicated to Khaldi were adorned with weapons, such as swords, spears, bow and arrows, and shields hung off the walls and were sometimes known as 'the house of weapons'.