Mekhala, Maṇimekhala, Moni Mekhala
- sk मेखला Mekhalā, 'girdle', 'waist ornament', 'woman's waist', 'slope of temple or mountain'.
- sk मणिमेखल Maṇimekhala, name of a goddess worshipped in Sri Lanka Buddhism.
- kh មណីមេខលា Moni Mekala, name of a tevoda (goddess).
- Mekhalā in Indian traditions is a 'heavenly ornament', a (often gold) waist ornament or waist band. Also a woman's or yakshini's name.
- Maṇimekhala (मणिमेखल), lit. 'girdled with gems'. In Theravada Buddhism, a) a goddess who presided over the ocean where she was placed by the Catummaharajika to protect virtuous people who might suffer shipwreck. b) A district in Ceylon, founded by the general Sankha during the time that the usurper Magha ruled at Pulatthipura.
- In Cambodian traditions, a) the tevoda of the sea (or the trees) protecting against lightning and storms. b) របាំមណីមេខលា [Dance of Moni Mekhala], part of the repertoire of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia.
Source
ADB Research team.
