Gandhamardhan hills

Gandhamardan Mountains
Western part of the Gandhamardan Mountains as visible from Paikmal Side.
Highest point
Elevation	3,250 ft (990 m)
Prominence	3,250 ft (990 m)
Coordinates	20°52′26″N 82°50′34″E / 20.87389°N 82.84278°E / 20.87389; 82.84278Coordinates: 20°52′26″N 82°50′34″E / 20.87389°N 82.84278°E / 20.87389; 82.84278
Geography
Gandhamardan Mountains Gandhamardan Hills
Location	Bargarh District, Odisha, India
Parent range	Gandhamardan Mountains
Climbing
Easiest route	Drive, Trekking

Gandhamardan Hills or Gandhamardan parbat (Odia: ଗନ୍ଧମାର୍ଦନ ପର୍ବତ) is a hill located in between Balangir and Bargarh district of Odisha. This hill is well known for medicinal plants. There is a Bauxite reserve which is planned for exploration by the State Govt. with private venture.

This hill also has a lot of historic importance as it was once a seat of Buddhist culture. Till to date many ruins found on the plateau at the hilltop. According to mythology, Lord Hanuman carried this hill on his shoulders from Himalayas to save the life of Lakshman. In the Tretaya Yug (the Silver Age), Jambavan (the unerring counselor of Ram) had suggested Vir Hanuman to bring Bisalyakarani ere dawn, so that Laxman would rise back to life. It was in the middle of the war between Lord Ram and Ravan. Hanuman failed to identify the particular herb and carried on his shoulders a huge Himalayan mass. While flying above and proceeding toward Lanka (the kingdom of Ravan), a portion dropped down. Gandhamardan is synonymous to that portion only. At northern slope of this hill the Nrusinghanath Temple is located; whereas on the southern slope of this hill is the famous Harishankar Temple located.

Sage Drona residing on this mountain belonging to the Mahabharat period used to deliver art of weaponry to the selected few pupils and he was famous for it across the country. The pupils educated and trained in the art of warfare were feared by many warriors of that time. Glowing tributes is paid to Hiuen T’sang, the champion Chinese traveler, who was attracted by the scenic splendour of Gandhamardan. He has spoken of the flowering Buddhist University of PARIMALGIRI (po-lo-mo-lo-ki-li), which had its campus on the picturesque Gandhamardan hills.

The Gandhamardan mountain ranges are a rich source of diversity for medicinal plants. The Botanical Survey of India has reported the existence of 220 plant species of medicinal value. Local people, however, claim that there are more than 500 species of medicinal plants in this area. The flora of the buffer zone is most vulnerable. Many medicinal plant species such as Clerodendron indicum, Rauvolfia serpentina and Plumbago zeylanica, which were once available in plenty, have become scarce. A study recorded 2,700 angiosperms and 125 species of important medicinal plants, out of a total of 220 species of medicinal and quasi-medicinal and economically vital plants.