The Vishnu Purana specifically mentions it amongst the seven main chains of mountains in Bharata (ancient name of India), namely Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimat, Riksha, Vindhya, and Páripátra. According to the Matsya Purana, during the Great flood, the giant boat of King Manu was perched after the deluge on the top of the Malaya Mountains.