Mahendra, in Indian mythology, is one of the seven chains of mountains in Bharata. Mahendra is the chain of hills that extends from Odisha and the northern Circars to Gondwana land. The epic mountain Mahendragiri is situated in Gajapati district, Odisha. The Mahendra Mountain is associated with mythological stories from the Ramayana as Mahendra Parvata. It is a "Kula Parvata" along with Malaya, Sahyadri, Parijatra, Shuktiman, Vindhya and Malyavaan. In the Puranas and Mahabharata that Parashuram practiced penance for a long time on the Mahendra Mountain.
Mahendra is the chain of hills that extends from Odisha and the northern Circars to Gondwana land, part of which, near Ganjam, is still called Mahendra Malei, or hills of Mahendra. It is named in the name of Lord Indra. It is this Mahendra Hills of Ganjam and Southern India, where Parashuram retired after he was defeated by Rama.The whole range of hills extending from Odisha to the district of Madura was known by the name of "Mahendra Parvata". It included the Eastern Ghats and the range extending from the Northern Circars to Gondwana. It joins the Malaya Mountain.
Legend says that it is the place where Lord Parashuram, a Chiranjeevi staying eternally and doing tapasya. This Mahendragiri is nothing but "Parashuram" village. Parashuram village is situated at a height of more that 1000 feet from sea level. In many scriptures it has been mentioned that, lord Parashuram stayed at "Mahendragiri" for his austerity after renunciation of his power. As Lord Parashuram is immortal, it is assured that Lord stays at Mahendragiri & goes at Himalaya for austerity. Temples built by Pandavas are seen. The main festival here is Shiv Ratri, the worship of Shiva, the guru or preceptor of lord Parashuram.
Mahendra is also the name of a star situated in the tail of the celestial body. In the Puranas Mahendra is a name of a river.
Mahendragiri: It is a mountain peak at in the Paralakhemundi subdivision of the district of Gajapati, Odisha. It is situated amongst the Eastern Ghats at an elevation of 1,501 m (4,925 ft). It is also known as the Southern Amarnath of Odisha. Mahendragiri has interesting archaeological remains.
