Hiraṇmaya-varṣa

One of the nine land divisions (varṣas) of Jambūdvīpa, situated to the North of Mount Meru, marked by Śveta mountain range in the South and Śṛṅgavān mountain range in the North.

Shape
Bound by straight Śveta and Śṛṅgavān mountain ranges on both sides, Hiraṇmaya-varṣa is shaped like an elongated rectangle.

North to South
9,000 yojanas

East to West
From one side of the Jambūdvīpa island to another.

Overall Atmosphere
In Hiraṇmaya-varṣa there are many beautiful gardens filled with seasonal fruits and flowers. There are many decorated hermitages. Between the boundary mountains demarcating the borders of the 9 varṣas lie great lakes of pure water filled with lotus flowers and aquatic birds, surrounded by humming bees.

Earthly Heavens
As most regions on Bhū-maṇḍala, Hiraṇmaya-varṣa is a heavenly region on Earth (bhauma-svarga) where people returning from heavenly planets enjoy the remaining results of their pious activities.

Inhabitants
People of Hiraṇmaya-varṣa live approximately ten thousand years as per our present earthly calculation. This number is comparable to life duration in Bhārata-varṣa during Tretā-yuga. The inhabitants of Hiraṇmaya-varṣa are almost like demigods, possessing strong, youthful bodies that have a great capacity for sensual enjoyment. Women conceive children only during the last year of their life. The inhabitants are important leaders among the demigods and are always attended by their servants who constantly supply them and their wives with sandalwood pulp and flower garlands. Attracted by the opposite sex, they enjoy life in gardens alongside the lakes. But despite many opportunities for sense enjoyement, the inhabitants of Hiraṇmaya-varṣa do not forget their eternal position as servants of the Supreme Lord, and they worship Him in His Deity forms.

Chief
The chief resident of Hiraṇmaya-varṣa is Aryamā.

Inhabitants Worship the Lord
In Hiraṇmaya-varṣa Lord Viṣṇu lives in the form of Kūrma (turtle or tortoise). Aryamā, along with the other inhabitants worship this dear and beautiful form by chanting elaborate prayers. Their prayers are described in detail in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Canto 5, Chapter 18, verses 30-33