Answers: Thedal Quiz – 3

Thanks again for your active participation in our third quiz featuring mountains. There were several responses as usual and we thank you for your active participation. Interestingly, none of the readers got all the answers right this time. Most had trouble with the last question.  

Here are some of the readers who got the maximum right answers:

Sudarsan, Sriniketh, Ramasamy and Soumya.

Many congratulations!

Here are the answers to the questions:

As per Bhaagavatha Purana, name the mountain that was used as a churning rod during the churning of Milky ocean (‘Paarkadal’).

Mandara mountain or Meru. It was used as a churning rod, while the great serpent Vaasuki was used as the churning rope with Gods (devaas) pulling it on one side while the demons (asuraas) pulling it from the other side. Lord Vishnu incarnated as a giant tortoise (Koorma avataara) to hold the mountain in place during the churning process. Churning was done to obtain divine nectar which make the drinkers immortal.

2. In Ramayana, which flying mountain was encountered by Lord Hanuman during his search for Goddess Sita?
Mainaaka hill. Mainaka had wings and it was sent by the Lord of the Ocean (Samudra Raja) to make Lord Hanuman rest a little before proceeding with his quest. However Lord Hanuman politely declined the offer and hurried towards Lanka.

3. According to Ramayana, which mountain did the demon king Ravana tried to lift and got stuck because Lord Shiva pressed it with his toe?
Mount Kailaasha. Once Ravana was returning to Lanka in the Pushpaka Vimana (the flying chariot) when he was obstructed by a mountain. He realized that it was mount Kailasha where Lord Shiva and Parvati were residing. In his arrogance, Ravana decided to uproot the mountain and started to lift it. However, Lord Shiva pressed the mountain with his big toe, trapping Ravana beneath it. Ravana then sang hymns in praise of Shiva and later he was blessed by Lord Shiva.

4. In Krishnaavataara, name the hill that was lifted by Lord Krishna to protect the cowherds of Gokulam from Lord Indra’s deluge.
Govardhana hill. (Those who can read Tamil can go through this. When Lord Indra became proud, Lord Krishna redirected the cowherds of Gokulam to stop offering oblations to him and direct them to Govardhan Hill instead since it offered them their livelihood. Enraged, Indra opened up the skies and let out a torrent of rain over Gokulam. However Lord Krishna thwarted his plans by lifting the hill with his small finger and gave shelter to the entire population of Gokulam including the farm animals. Finally Lord Indra realized his mistake and begged Lord Krishna for forgiveness for his actions.

5. According to Vaishnavite tradition, which temple is denoted by the name ‘malai’ (mountain) Thirumalai – Malai for Vaishnavas

Thirumalai – Thiruppathi temple. As per Vaishnavite tradition, ‘Malai’ (mountain) represents Thiruppathi, ‘Koil’ (Temple) denotes Srirangam Temple and ‘Perumaal Koil’ is Kanchipuram Varadharaja Temple.

6. Which hill is famous for its ‘Agni Lingam’ (Idol of fire) of Lord Shiva ?

Thiruvannamalai. This is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalangal (locations for the five basic elements) of Lord Shiva associated with the element Fire (Agni). The other four are Tiruvaanaikkaval (Water), Chidambaram (Space), Kaanchipuram (Earth) and Sri Kalahasti (Wind).

7. Which among the six holy shrines of Lord Muruga is built on an artificial hill?

Swamimalai. The temple is one of the six holy shrines of Lord Muruga called Arupadaiveedu. The presiding deity, Swaminathaswamy is located atop a 60 ft  artificial hillock known as ‘Kaattu Malai’.

8. According to Sangam literature, name the word that denotes the moutain and the regions surrounding the mountains and also a rare flower.
Kurinji. Other regions include Mullai (forests), Marudham (fields), Neythal (sea shore) and Paalai (Desert). Kurinji also denotes a type of flower that blooms once in 12 years.

9. Which hill in Tamil Nadu is linked to Sage Agasthiya and also credited with the origin of Tamil language.
Podhigai Hill. Ancient tradition indicates that sage Agastya provided the first grammar book (‘Agathiyam’) for Tamil language from this place.

10. According to Sangam literature, which poem among the Pathupaattu anthology, describe the people and traditions of people living in the moutain regions.
Malaipadukadaam. It is an ancient Tamil poem in the Pattuppaaṭṭu anthology of the Sangam literature. Authored by Perunkunroor Perunkausiganaar, it consists of poems that describe the nature, people and the culture of mountain countryside.

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