Holy Mountain

A name for the Meneltarma, the tall mountain that stood in the centre of the isle of Númenor that was called the Pillar of Heaven by the Númenóreans. The holiness of the mountain derived from the Hallow of Eru at its summit: a wide space reached by a road that spiralled up the mountainside, watched over by the three Eagles known as the Witnesses of Manwë. Though that holy place could be visited at any time, three special times of prayer were set aside during the year: Erukyermë in spring, Erulaitalë at the height of summer, and Eruhantalë in autumn.

These traditions belonged to the earlier times of Númenor, but as the Second Age drew on, the Holy Mountain was gradually forgotten, until Ar-Gimilzôr the twenty-third King abandoned the traditional Three Prayers altogether. They were temporarily reinstated by his successor Tar-Palantir, but then came the accession of Ar-Pharazôn, the King who would openly challenge the Valar and bring about the Downfall of Númenor.