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Mandara Mountain In Hinduism

Mandara Mountain is a large extensive mountain range mentioned in holy books in Hinduism. Mandara is said to be stationed like a pillar near Kailasa at the eastern quarter of the Meru Mountain and it is thought of as an abode of semi divine beings such as yakshas and kinnaras. It is identified with the mountain of the same name in Bhagalpur in Bihar.

As per Hindu scriptures, the mountain is said to have been used as the churning rod for obtaining nectar from milky ocean (Kshirabdhi). Legend has it that Indra was vanquished by the asuras on account of a curse by Sage Durvasa. The sage had been provoked when a garland given by him was ignored by Indra. To add insult to injury, Indra had thrown away the garland, which fell on his elephant, Airavata. The elephant trampled it under its foot. In order to regain his kingdom, Indra approached Vishnu for advice. Vishnu suggested churning of the milky ocean so that the nectar obtained in the process would make Indra and the celestial immortal and thereby regain their prosperity. Mandara was used to churning rod.

Since the Devas could not lift the Mandara Mountain, the serpent Ananta pulled it up and Garuda, the vehicle of Bhagavan Vishnu, carried it from its location to the milky ocean. While being churned, it submerged. In order to make it stable while being used for churning, Bhagavan Vishnu provided support as the fulcrum, assuming the form of a tortoise.

According to another version, the mountain was used as an axle for the chariot in which Shiva set out for the destruction of the three fortress made of gold, silver, and iron, belonging to the demons Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyumalin, respectively