Maya, Mythological Demon

As described in Hindu mythology Maya or Mayasura is the name of a powerful Danava and was the chief architect of the peoples of the netherworlds. He was a great prehistoric king of the Asura, Daitya and Rakshasa races upon earth.

In Tripura Maya is believed to be the designer and king of the three flying cities, known as the Tripura. They were great cities of affluence, power and dominance over the world. Due to their immoral nature, Maya`s cities were torched out of the sky by Lord Shiva. However, Maya escapes the destruction, as he is a devotee of Lord Shiva.

In Ramayana, he had built his capital and called it Maya Rashtra, which is now called Meerut. Maya is the father of Mandodari, the beautiful wife of Ravana, the emperor of Lanka. Maya is also considered as a hero and father-figure for many rakshasa, asura, and daitya and heroes in Hindu epics.

There is a story relating to the life of Maya in Mahabharata. His life was spared by Krishna and Arjuna during the destruction of the Khandava forest, Maya offers his services to them. Krishna initiated Maya to construct a fabulous palace hall for Arjuna`s brother, king Yudhisthira, at Indraprastha.

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