Kula Parvatha in Hinduism is an important chain of
mountains. They are distinguished from the varsaparvatas, which separate
divisions of the world. There are seven Kula Parvathas in Bharata Varsha –
Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Suktiman, Riksha, Vindhya and Pariyatra. The seven
ranges form a ring, as it were, around the frontiers and the center tableland.
Kula Parvatha Their Modern Names
- Mahendra – Eastern Ghats
- Malaya – Malaya Ranges
- Sahya – Sahyadri – Western Ghats
- Suktiman – region north of Sahyadri
- Riksha – Satpura Ranges
- Vindya – Vindhya Ranges
- Pariyatra - Aravali
Accordingly, Mahendra forms the eastern ranges starting from
Kalinga (Odisha). Hence it is still known by the name in the Ganjam region
there. At present it is popularly known as the “Eastern Ghats.” It joins at the
southern end of the hilly region known as Malaya.
After annihilating the
Kshatriyas, Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, made this mountain
his abode and practiced penance here for twelve years. A pond called Ramatirtha
on the top of the mountain is held as sacred.
The Malaya ranges of mountains are well known in literature
for their sandalwood forests. Hence sandal is known by the term malayaja. Sage
Agastya had his hermitage here. The rivers Kritamala, Tamraparni, and many
streams flow from here.
Sahya (or Sahyadri) is the range of mountains which, from
the present Western Ghats going southwards (from north to south) on the west,
is still known by that name in Maharashtra and the Konkani regions. The Kaveri
River, rising in its southern end, is popularly known as the daughter of Sahya.
The rivers Godavari, Krishnaveni, and Bimarathi rise from this mountain.
The Shuktiman ranges spread from the region north of
Sahyadri towards the east and include the hilly regions of Khandesa and Ajanta
as far as the Golkonda plateau.
The Riksha ranges are the modern Satpura ranges, which are
spread as far as the Chota Nagpur plateau. The rivers Tapti, Vena, Ganga, and
small rivers such as Brahmani and Vaitarani flowing through Odisha rise from
these ranges.
The Vindhya ranges extend along the north of the Narmada
River, from which rise rivers such as Shonk, Narmada, Mahanadi, Tamasa and
Dasharna, which flow into different oceans. There are many sacred shrines on the
bank of the river Narmada adjoining the mountain.
The Pariyatra ranges are identified with the modern Aravali.
The name “Pariyatra” is derived from the practice of skirting it while
proceeding from Dwarka to the Sauvira region.
The location of countless holy places on these mountain
ranges and the hallowed places of river sources add to their importance in the
culture of the Hindus. Thousands of holy places associated with Hindus are
located on these mountains.