History of Himalayas

The Himalyas are a continuous source of inspiration as well as life itself. These mountains defy description, not only because of their grandeur and expansiveness, but also because of the overpowering role played by them in the story of the world. The best way to introduce them would perhaps be with a story.

Once upon a time, there lived a king called “Milinda”. He asked a sage called “Nagasena” about the Himalyas. The sage replied in a single verse which when translated reads:

“The Himalya, the king of the mountains, five and thousand league in extent at the circumference, with its ranges or eight hundred and forty thousand peaks, the source of five hundred rivers, the dwelling place of multitudes of mighty creatures, the producer of manifold perfumes, enriched with hundreds of magical drugs, it is seen to rise aloft like a cloud in the centre of the earth.” In fact, a text called the Sama Veda (Sam Veda) does describe the mountain ranges to be the centre of the earth.

To the sage’s description may be added that these ranges are the youngest in India and one of the youngest mountain systems of the world. With many peaks yet to be christened, these mountain ranges have also given birth to many heroes who have scaled its heights

Source : http://www.travel-himalayas.com/history-himalayas/himalayan-lore.html