Mandar Hill

Mandar Hill is in Banka district of Bihar in India. It is situated at Bounsi Block at about 18 km from the district headquarters town Banka 5 km north of Bounsi. This 800 feet high granite hill is laced with landscape of extraordinary splendour, and is considered extremely sacred due to its mention in the Hindu Mythology.

Mandar Parvat found mention is ancient Indian epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Mandar Hill is also related with a story of Skand Puran of epic period.

The Skand Puran records the history of the famous Amrit Manthan (the churning of the ocean). It was said that this hill was used by the gods to churn the ocean to procure amrit. The serpent, Basukinaga offered to serve as the rope and has left behind an impression of the coil on the granite hill. It is believed that panchjanya, the conch shell used in Mahabharat War was discovered here in the Sankh kund. The puranas refer to various sacred places on the hill which is also believed to be the abode of Vishnu under the title of Madhusudana or the destroyer of a demon called Madhu who was killed by Vishnu and then covered by the Mandar hill. Kalidasa's kumarasamahava refers to foot marks of Vishnu on the slopes of Mandar. The hill is replete with relics of bygone ages. Besides inscriptions and statues there are numerous rock cut sculptures depicting various Brahmanical images.

Due to this mythical association, the hill has assumed considerable religious significance and has been a place of pilgrimage for Hindus. The hill is equally revered by the Jains who believe that their 12th Tirthankara attained nirvana here on the summit of the hill.

Nearby pages
Mandarin, Mandasa, Mandatory Change, Mandawa Waterfall, Mandeha, Mandell Creighton