Jambūdvīpa

The central island of Bhū-maṇḍala, surrounded on all sides by Salt Water Ocean.

Shape and Size
Jambūdvīpa is said to be circular shape ('round like a lotus leaf) measuring 100,000 yojanas across.

The 9 Divisions (Varṣas) of Jambūdvīpa
There are 9 regional divisions (varṣas) in Jambūdvīpa:


 * 1) Ilāvṛta-varṣa
 * 2) Ketumāla-varṣa
 * 3) Bhadrāśva-varṣa
 * 4) Ramyaka-varṣa
 * 5) Hiraṇmaya-varṣa
 * 6) Kuru-varṣa
 * 7) Hari-varṣa
 * 8) Kimpuruṣa-varṣa
 * 9) Bhārata-varṣa

Other Regional Divisions
Apart from the above mentioned division into 9 varṣas, the part to the south of Niṣadha mountains is sometimes called the southern half of Jambūdvīpa, and the part to the north of Nīla mountains is called the northern half. Thus, each northern and southern half consists of 3 varṣas. Sometimes these two halves plus Ketumāla and Bhadrāśva varṣas are described as 4 petals of Jambūdvīpa with Mount Meru as its pericarp.

The 8 Great Mountain Ranges of Jambūdvīpa
The above mentioned varṣas are separated by 8 great mountain ranges (maryādā-parvatas):


 * 1) Nīla
 * 2) Śveta
 * 3) Śṛṅgavān
 * 4) Niṣadha
 * 5) Hemakūta
 * 6) Himālaya
 * 7) Mālyavān
 * 8) Gandhamādana

Mount Meru and Surrounding Mountains
Mount Meru is the greatest mountain of Jambūdvīpa and Bhū-maṇḍala, fixed in its center and holding the Earth in its place. There are many other mountains surrounding Mount Meru, including:


 * 1) 4 Pillar Mountains
 * 2) Filament Mountains
 * 3) 8 Prominent Mountains

The Four Branches of Gaṅgā
In Lord Brahmā's town on the top of Mount Meru Gaṅgā divides into 4 branches, which flow down to the Salt Water Ocean in 4 cardinal directions, through the various varṣas of Jambūdvīpa. Their names are:


 * 1) Sītā;
 * 2) Alakanandā;
 * 3) Cakṣu;
 * 4) Bhadrā.