Mount Mainak


Mount Mainak or Mainak Parvat is a mountain from the Hindu epic Ramayana who also is the brother-in-law of Lord Shiva and brother of Goddess Parvati. Mainak had the ability to fly and also grow in size and was also known as the Golden Mountain.

Birth

Once King Himalaya who was also known as Shailraj who once ruled the north, desired to get married and have a family. At the request of the gods, all elders started considering their daughters to him and soon he married Maina. She was the daughter of Swadha. While at the wedding Lord Vishnu, Indra informed the couple that divine birth of Lord Shiva's Wife Parvati on earth was due and hence they advised the couple to pray to Goddess Bhagwati that she be born as their daughter. So for 27 years Himalaya and Maina prayed to Goddess Bhagwati at the end of which she appeared before them and asked them for a boon. Maina asked for boon of having 100 sons and also wished that Goddess Bhagwati be born as her Daughter. In due time Maina had hundred sons, the eldest of them was Mainak. Also they had a beautiful daughter whom they named Uma who later came to be known as Parvati.

Mainak Submerged

As per Hindu mythology many ancient mountains had wings and had the divine power of flight. However due to some misunderstanding Lord Indra chopped off the wings of Mainak's 99 brothers. However Mainak sought help from Vayu God and so Vayu placed Mainak into the ocean blocking demons from coming out from the underworld. He later came out to serve Hanuman in his mission for Ram Karya.