Bhubaneswar: One of Odisha's oldest symbols of history, mythology and geography has now become the identity of one of India's most advanced naval warships.

The majestic Mahendragiri Hill of the Eastern Ghats has entered India's elite maritime defence landscape after the Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahendragiri, the seventh and final Project 17A (P-17A) stealth guided-missile frigate, at Visakhapatnam on July 11 in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

With the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri, Odisha joined an exclusive group of states whose iconic mountain ranges lend their names to India's frontline stealth frigates. The naming is not merely symbolic – it reflects the Indian Navy's long-standing tradition of honouring the country's most enduring geographical landmarks.

Dharmendra Pradhan Hails Odisha's Honour

Soon after the commissioning, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the naming as a moment of immense pride for Odisha.

In a post on X, Pradhan congratulated the Indian Navy and said the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri, named after Odisha's sacred Mahendragiri mountain, had brought glory to the state. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for giving Odisha's historic landmark a permanent place in India's maritime security architecture.

Calling it a proud recognition of Odisha's heritage, Pradhan said the warship would become a symbol of the state's contribution to national security and the country's growing indigenous defence capability.

Which Ships in this Class Are Named After Mountains?

INS Mahendragiri belongs to the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth frigate programme comprising seven advanced indigenous warships.

Each vessel bears the name of a prominent Indian mountain or mountain range:

Ship	Named After	State/Region
INS Nilgiri	Nilgiri Hills	Tamil Nadu/Kerala/Karnataka
INS Himgiri	Himalayas	Northern India
INS Udaygiri	Udaygiri Hills	Andhra Pradesh
INS Dunagiri	Dunagiri Hills	Uttarakhand
INS Taragiri	Taragiri Hills	Uttarakhand

INS Vindhyagiri

Vindhya Range

Central India

INS Mahendragiri

Mahendragiri Hills

Odisha (Eastern Ghats)

Mahendragiri thus becomes the latest and perhaps one of the most regionally distinctive additions to this prestigious naval lineage.

Why Are Project 17A Ships Named After Mountains?

The naming follows a deliberate naval tradition.

Project 17A frigates are the successors to the original Nilgiri-class frigates, many of which were also named after mountain ranges. Mountains symbolize:

• Strength
• Endurance
• Stability
• Vigilance
• Strategic dominance

These are qualities expected from frontline multi-role stealth warships that safeguard India's maritime interests across the Indian Ocean.

By retaining mountain names, the Navy preserves the heritage of earlier frigates while connecting India's geography with its modern naval power.

Why Was Mahendragiri Chosen?

Mahendragiri is among the most historically and spiritually significant peaks of the Eastern Ghats.

Located primarily in Gajapati district and extending into Ganjam, the mountain rises to nearly 1,500 metres, making it one of Odisha's highest peaks.

Its significance extends far beyond geography.

• It is counted among the Sapta Kulachala (seven sacred mountains) in ancient Hindu tradition.
• The hill finds mention in the Ramayana and several Puranic texts.
• Historically, it served as a landmark overlooking the ancient Kalinga region.
• Because of its towering elevation overlooking the eastern coast, historians believe ancient mariners sailing towards Kalinga ports such as Palur could identify the coastline using Mahendragiri as a natural navigational landmark.

The Ministry of Defence has said the name was chosen to represent strength, resilience and unwavering resolve, values that perfectly mirror the role of a modern stealth frigate. The ship's crest even depicts a goshawk perched atop the mountain, symbolising sharp vision, patience and decisive action.

How Does the Indian Navy Name Its Ships?

The naming of Indian Naval vessels follows an institutional process rather than an arbitrary choice.

An Internal Nomenclature Committee under the Ministry of Defence examines suitable names, drawing upon India's geography, history, culture and military traditions. Recommendations are placed before the Chief of Naval Staff, while the final approval is accorded through the Government of India.

Different categories of naval platforms follow different themes:

• Destroyers — Named after major Indian cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam).
• Project 17A Frigates — Named after mountain ranges.
• River-class Frigates — Named after major rivers.
• Corvettes — Named after weapons or qualities such as Veer, Khukri and Kora.
• Submarines — Generally follow class-specific conventions such as the "Sindhu" series.
• Landing crafts — Often named after animals.
• Survey ships — Named after themes associated with exploration and navigation.

The structured naming instantly identifies a ship's class and preserves continuity within the Navy's fleet traditions.

Project 17A: India's Most Advanced Indigenous Frigates

INS Mahendragiri is not only symbolically important but also technologically significant.

The warship is among India's most advanced stealth frigates featuring:

• Over 75% indigenous content
• Advanced radar-evading stealth design
• BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
• Barak-8 long-range air defence system
• AESA multifunction radar
• Indigenous combat management system
• Integrated modular construction technology

The class represents one of the biggest milestones under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

The Last Word

For Odisha, INS Mahendragiri is more than just another commissioned warship – it is a rare recognition of the state's civilisational and geographical legacy.

Interestingly, Ganjam district now has two enduring associations with the Indian Navy.

The first came in 2017 with INSV Tarini, the Navy's celebrated sailing vessel named after the revered Tara Tarini shrine overlooking the Rushikulya river.

Now, INS Mahendragiri has added another chapter by carrying the name of the Eastern Ghats' iconic peak into India's frontline naval fleet. While the Mahendragiri massif geographically spans both Ganjam and Gajapati districts, its induction into the Navy ensures that Odisha's sacred mountain will now sail across the world's oceans as a symbol of India's maritime strength.

From Tarini to Mahendragiri, two timeless landmarks rooted in southern Odisha have now found permanent places in India's naval history – one representing faith and exploration, the other power and deterrence. 

Also Read: Odisha's Deep-Sea Decade Begins: State India's Marine Economy Powerhouse by 2036; Dharmendra Pradhan Sees Odisha's Maritime Legacy Revival| Special Report