Mount Mahendra (Mahendragiri)

Location	Parlekhemundi (Gajapathi District), Orissa
Altitude	1525 meters above the sea level
Description The Mahendragiri mountains are situated in the middle of the Eastern Ghats. On top of the hill stands a 6th century temple of Gokarneshwar Shiva. The river Mahendra tanaya flows down the mountain. Although a major part of the mountain falls within the Andhra Pradesh boundary, the temples of the Pandavas are located in Orissa.
Legends and Mythology The hill is associated with the mythological stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The hill has temples dedicated to Yudhishthir, Bhima and Kunti Devi. Some believe that the Gokarneshwar Shivalingam was established by the Pandava brothers, who visited Mahendragiri during the period of their exile. It is also described as the place of penance of Sage Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.	Ecological attributes The tropical deciduous forests in the hill are home to many interesting and rare plant species, which have enormous pharmacological potential.

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