Nanda Parbat
| Synonyms: | |
| See also: | Ra's al Ghul
League of Assassins Arrow (TV) |
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Nanda Parbat is a mythical city in the DC Universe. Originating in the comics, it was famously adapted in the Arrow TV show. Over its depictions, it has been associated with the hero Deadman, the goddess Rama Kushna, and the immortal ecoterrorist Ra's al Ghul.
In the Comics
Nanda Parbat is first depicted in Strange Adventures #216, in 1969.[1] The city is traditionally located within the Himalayas. The city is mystically guarded: it is stated that those with evil intent cannot find the city on their own, and must rely on tools such as a map. It is difficult to map Nanda Parbat, however--map components are split into elements such as a tattoo or a poem, requiring both collection and interpretation. Within the city, time moves differently than in the outside world. Disease and death do not progress while within Nanda Parbat. Generally, heroes seek the city seeking spiritual enlightenment.
Nanda Parbat is overseen by the goddess Rama Kushna and her order of monks. Rama Kushna is dedicated to balance: she is the one responsible for turning the deceased aerialist Boston Brand into Deadman, empowering him to fight the forces of evil in the mortal world. In addition to the city's temple, the monks of Nanda Parbat also protect the Fountain of Youth.
In the comic series 52, depicting the year after the events of Infinite Crisis, several heroes are shown having made the pilgrimage to the hidden city, including Renee Montoya, Wonder Woman, and Ralph Dibney.
Nanda Parbat plays a major role in the Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul event. In this story, Ra's al Ghul is a spirit trapped without a body, unable to use the Lazarus Pits to restore himself as usual. While Ra's' spirit can temporarily inhabit a host body, his spirit destroys all hosts that don't share a blood relation with him. After Talia al Ghul thwarted her father' attempt to use Damian Wayne's body, Ra's sought the Fountain of Youth to stabilize a non-related host body. At the same time, a rival faction of assassins dedicated to preventing Ra's from resurrecting launched an assault on Nanda Parbat, intent on destroying the Fountain so that Ra's could not use it. In the resulting battle, the monks of Rama Kushna banished Ra's al Ghul and the assassins for perverting the balance of life and death.[2]
"Ra's al Ghul, you have perverted the balance between life and death. Rama Kushna has decreed Nanda Parbat be closed to you for all time! Go now, or suffer death everlasting!"-Monks of Rama Kushna
Arrow (TV)
In the Arrow television show, Nanda Parbat is depicted as the stronghold of Ra's al Ghul's League of Assassins. Located in the Hindu Kush mountains, it is where Malcolm Merlyn met Ra's al Ghul and began his training as the Dark Archer. This iteration of Nanda Parbat lacks many of the comics' more mystical elements, though it is the site of what was, at the time, Ra's al Ghul's singular Lazarus Pit. This Pit would later be used to revive Sara Lance, a former member of the League, who had previously trained there to become an assassin.
In Fan Media
Nanda Parbat is often depicted within fan media with a blend of comics and Arrow (TV) traits. It is frequently depicted as a League of Assassins base, though with non-Arrow (TV) characters within. Many fanworks reflect on Damian Wayne's time growing up in the League of Assassins, with this version of Nanda Parbat serving as the setting.
Further Reading
Nanda Parbat tag - AO3