Omkareshwar
Jyotirlinga Tour
Omkareshwar Temple is situated on the mountain Mandhata by
the banks of Narmada River in the Malva area in Madhya Pradesh.
Omkareshwar Temple is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines
of Shiva. The temple is closely linked with Mammaleshwar Temple
(situated on the south of river Narmada) as both the forms
of Shiva have been counted as one.
Legend behind Omkareshwar Temple
Shiva Purana describes the greatness of Omkareshwar and Mammaleshwar.
It says, two sons of the sun dynasty Mandhata - Ambarish and
Mucchkund practiced severe penance and austerities here and
pleased Lord Shiva. They also performed great religious sacrifices
in this place because of which the mountain is named Mandhata.
Another popular legend says that once upon a time Vidhya
Parvat practiced severe penance and worshipped Parthivarchana
along with Lord Omkareshwar for nearly six months. As a result
Lord Shiva was pleased and blessed him with the desire boon.
On the sincere request of all the gods and the sages Lord
Shiva made two parts of the lings. One half being Omkareshwara
and the other Amaleshwara or Amareshwar.
Some scholar say, King Mandhatha of the Ishvaku clan is believed
to have worshipped Shiva here. Besides, Govinda Bhagavatpaada,
the Guru of Shankaracharya is believed to have lived in a
cave here.
Structure and Significance of Omkareshwar Temple
Omkareshwara Temple is located at a distance of about 12 miles
from Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh. A special feature of the
location of Omkareshwar Temple is that the river Narmada branches
into two and forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the
center. The shape of the island resembles that of the visual
representation of the Omkara sound, Om. There are two temples
here, one to Omkareshwar and one to Amareshwar.
The Omkareshwar Temple is built in the Nagara style and is
characterized by a lofty shikhara. There are also shrines
to Annapurna and Ganesha here. Before entering the temple
one has to pass through two rooms. The Omkareshwar is not
affixed to the ground but is naturally installed there. There
is always water around it. The significance of this linga
is that the linga is not situated below the cupola. The idol
of Lord Shiva is situated on the top of the temple. The temple
can be reached by ferry from the banks of the river. A huge
fair is organized here on the day of Kartik Poornima
.
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