ABSTRACT
In Hindu mythology, Himalaya is considered as ‘Parvatadhiraj’, meaning ‘the king of mountains’. In ancient Hindu epics and literature, references to ‘Himalaya Parvat’ (पर्वत) are aplenty, which is considered the abode of God (the word ‘Parvat’ means mountain in Hindi). ‘The Himalaya’ is one of the most sacred (holiest) places on Earth, where nature shows all her beauty and diversity in the best form. The serene environment of the entire region makes it ideal for worshipping, meditation and nirvana by Hindu rishis, sadhus, mahatamas, pundits and meditators. Even today, the Himalayas are the preferred destination for all humans around the globe. Sir Edmund Hillary (the first European mountaineer to climb Mount Everest, the highest peak of the Himalayas) and several other mountaineers, who have seen it closely, have narrated and described the bountifulness of the Himalayas as unparalleled. This is the reason why the chapter is titled ‘Parvatadhiraj’.
