Mount MeruFrom Encyclopedia of World Religions: Encyclopedia of Hinduism
In ancient Indian cosmology Mount Meru is a golden mountain, supporting the heavens, located at the center of the known universe. Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu are understood to reside on the summit of Mount Meru, accompanied by sages praising the gods, apsarases (celestial dancers), and gandharvas (celestial musicians). The pole star is seen to shine directly over the summit of Meru.