MANDARA

Mandara is a name used for different things, most prominently a mythological mountain in Hindu cosmology. In ancient texts, Mount Mandara plays a central role in the churning of the ocean of milk, or Samudra Manthan, a cooperative effort between the devas (gods) and asuras (demons). The mountain is described as being used as the churning rod, with the serpent Vasuki acting as the rope. To keep the mountain steady during the process, it is said to have been supported on the back of the tortoise avatar Kurma, an incarnation of Vishnu. As the churning progressed, the poison Halahala emerged, and Shiva restrained its destructive power by consuming it, turning his throat blue in the process.

Beyond its mythic significance, Mandara is also a toponym used for various places in the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions. The name appears in the titles of hills, villages, and other geographic locales, reflecting the cultural and religious resonance of the myth. The exact location or form of a place named Mandara can vary by local tradition, and not all uses are connected to the myth in a direct or explicit way.

In literature and religious practice, Mandara remains a symbol of cosmic effort, transformation, and the interplay of danger and salvation found in Hindu narratives. The term continues to appear in temple lore, devotional poetry, and scriptural commentary, preserving its place in the cultural memory associated with Hindu cosmology.