________________
CULTURAL DATA IN TILAKAMAÑARĪ
173
highest Peak (11295 ft.). The Southern part of the main range is composed of sand stones, whereas the northern part is built up of lime stones. The range is pierced by a number of gorges through which run the main routes from India to Baluchistan.'
Of the Kulaparvatas Dhanapāla has referred to Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Vindhya, only four of them and has also referred to Kulācalatraya viz. Vindhya, Suktimat, Malaya and named them as Mahāparvatatrayam which is adorned with the Capillaments of lotuses or is adorned with the huge lakes such as Kesari, Mahāpadma and Tigiccha. The reference to the cighth Kuläcala implies the recognition of seven Kulācalas such as Mahendra. Malaya, Sahya, Suktimān, Rksavān, Vindhya, Päriyātra etc.? Vindhya and Sahya have been called 'gandaśailas' or the hills of the extents of rocks fallen down from the bigger mountains.
"(TTCTefelhayerTV) "3 According to Dr. B. C. Law Mahendra refers to the hills of this name in the Gañjam district. The Mahendra range of mountains extended from Gañjam as far south as the Pāndya country to the whole of the Eastern Ghāt range. The Mahendrädri or the Mahendra mountain was situated between the Gangäsāgara sangama and the Sapta Godāvari. A portion of the Eastern Ghāts near Gañjam is still called the Mahendra hill. Pargitar thinks that the name should be limited to the hills between the Mahanadī, Godavari and Gangā and may perhaps comprise the portion of the Eastern Ghāts north of the Godāvari. According to Bāņa's Harsacarita' the Mahendra mountain joins the Malaya Parvata. This fact is also proved by the Caitanaya Caritāmstam. The Raghuvamsa? places it in Kalinga. The name is principally applied to the range of hills separating Gañjam from the valley of the Mahānadi. Kālidāsa styles the king of Kalinga as the Lord of the Mahendra. The minor hills associated with the Mahendra mountain were the Sriparvata, Puşpagiri, Venkatādri, Aruņācala and Rşabha. The whole range of hills extending from Orissa to the district of Madura was known as the Mahendraparvata. It included the Eastern Ghāts. It joined the Malaya mountain. Paraśurāma retired to this mountain after being defeated by
1. HGAI p. 74. 2. See 122, 123, 124 above. also Mbh. 6. 9. 11. Mbh. Kośa by Rāmākumāra Roy p. 202. 3. TM Vol. III p. 143. 4. HGAI p. 205.. 5. Ch. VII, JNVSE, p. 761. L.4 614 14 gade 6. Vol. I. p. 581 7. IV. 39, 43; pp. 105, 107 VI 54, G.R. Nandargikar ed. MLBD, Delhi.
