Meru

Mythical mountain in the center of the
continent of Jambudvipa, the innermost of the concentric landmasses that
make up the visible world in traditional
Hindu cosmology; Mount Meru is the
center of the entire world, the pivot of
the entire created order. It is said to
extend far up into the heavens and
have its roots far beneath the earth, and
on its crest is a divine city which is the
home of the gods. The mythical Meru is
often identified with the Himalayan
mountain known as Kailas. For this
reason Kailas has been an important
pilgrimage place (tirtha), despite its
inaccessible location.