"Did Hanuman return the mountain?"


The query was popped while we were travelling in Srinagar by road, trying to have a fill of the valley's humbling views of the Himalayas all round. Here are a few glimpses of Gulmarg and Pahalgam







My son's query caught us unawares, and also got us thinking about the doubt that we never raised during childhood sessions of the Ramayana epic, and I decided to call my mom, our free encyclopaedia for all things religious / spiritual / cultural.
"Yes, Hanuman was disciplined, and he did return the Dronagiri mountain to its original locale". (was our spot answer)
Pahalgam




Back to the query - Anyone, any idea? There are several versions, all quite satisfactory, if you spare a thought.
- Rumassala is one of several places identified by the Sri Lankan Tourism Department as being associated with Ramayana. Hanuman carried a part of the Dronagiri Mountain that was rich with medicinal herbs including Sanjeevani from the Himalayas to revive Lakshmana. 'When the chief physician extracted the essential herbs, Hanuman threw away the chunk of the mountain. It fell to the ground and came to be named Rumassala'.
- Dronagiri is in the Himalayas in the state of Uttaranchal, and it looks like it is missing a portion - its right shoulder.
- and In Yugo Sako's animated version, made especially for children, Hanuman is shown carrying the mountain as he followed victorious Rama, Sita and Lakshmana after their Lanka mission.

My World Tuesday Issue XVI - For glimpses of more worlds from around the globe, visit That's My World for a rich experience - a real virtual world tour!

Comments

  1. Indrani02 February, 2009

    Yes Swarna, the mountain was returned as per the story. I grew up hearing this version.

    ReplyDelete
  2. antigoni03 February, 2009

    Great post and photos.

    ReplyDelete
  3. EG CameraGirl03 February, 2009

    I love the rugged countryside. It's very beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gaelyn03 February, 2009

    WOW! Amazing views, awesome captures, excellent post. I'm so glad Hanuman returned the mountain.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This Is My Blog - fishing guy03 February, 2009

    Swarma: What a neat trip you have taken us on through your world.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Inkivääri03 February, 2009

    What a gorgeous place and pics - I love them! After few days my daughter is coming to India in holidays:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Janie03 February, 2009

    Interesting story about the legend, and beautiful photos of the mountains.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous03 February, 2009

    very interesting post. gorgeous landscapes. nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jane Hards Photography03 February, 2009

    Really interesting and beautiful landscape.

    ReplyDelete
  10. D Herrod03 February, 2009

    Wow that is a pretty mountain

    ReplyDelete
  11. Swarna03 February, 2009

    Thanks, all
    Inkivaari - welcome to your daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown03 February, 2009

    What a great tale and tour, plus stunning scenery too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Marites03 February, 2009

    beautiful countryside pics you got there. Really awesome. My world is here.

    ReplyDelete
  14. magiceye03 February, 2009

    this post was a humdinger!!

    thank you for the refreshing thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Suffeli kuvailee03 February, 2009

    so beautiful photos :)
    have a nice week!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN03 February, 2009

    Very nice and interesting article - and wonderful pictures

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kat03 February, 2009

    Breathtaking photographs. Loved the mountains, the valleys, the ravines, the dotted houses and the cattle.

    Very interesting - the query, the research and Indrani's reply..!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mojo03 February, 2009

    My knowledge of such things is severely limited, but wasn't that when Rama rescued Sita from imprisonment? As in the origin of Diwali?

    (Such a hopeless gora!)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gattina03 February, 2009

    Beautiful landscape and high mountains ! A new world to me !

    ReplyDelete
  20. ???03 February, 2009

    Gorgeous photos, just breathtaking.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Inner Vision03 February, 2009

    This reminded me of my trip to that part of the country for trekking. Interesting post with some lovely pictures. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Loran04 February, 2009

    Oh my, my first visit to the Himalayas just made me want to go back, especially looking at all your gorgeous pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Glennis04 February, 2009

    The Himalayas look good from where ever angle. Quite a lot of snow on them makes them special.
    Interesting post.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Baruch04 February, 2009

    Unbelievably beautiful & scenic. The road seems a bit scary though as I see no barriers ... yikes!

    ReplyDelete
  25. workhard04 February, 2009

    Good info, pictures are awesome

    BPO work from home

    ReplyDelete
  26. Joseph Pulikotil05 February, 2009

    Hi :)

    Very interesting and lovely photos!

    Many thanks for showing these beautiful places.

    Best wishes :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oman07 February, 2009

    wow. if i have that view for a road trip it would take me years before i reach my destination lol. sooooo lovely.

    for my world, let me share to you my white water rafting experience, please click here.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Shyam P22 March, 2009

    Swarna, the pics are great. the missus & I have been wanting to do this for sometime now. you have inspired us more than ever.

    Shyam Pattabi
    www.shyamscolumn.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Bystender16 August, 2011

    the mountain was not really returned to original place, as it was mentioned in mahabharat, the mountain which shri Krishna picked up on his finger was the same mount...

    ReplyDelete

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