OMKARESHWAR JYOTIRLINGA

OMKARESHWAR JYOTIRLINGA

It is situated on the mountain Mandhata by the banks of Narmada River in the Malva area in MadhyaPradesh. Omkareshwar Temple is one of the Dwaadash 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 dynastyMandhata – Ambarish and Mucchkund practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Lord Shiva.They alsoperformed 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 worshippedParthivarchana along with Lord Omkareshwar for nearly six months. As a result Lord Shiva was pleased and blessedhim 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.

STRUCTURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF OMKARESHWAR TEMPLE

Omkareshwara Temple is located at a distance of about 12 miles from Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh. A special featureof the location of Omkareshwar Temple is that the river Narmada branches into two and forms an island Mandhata orShivapuri in the center.The shape of the island resembles that of the visual representation of the Omkara sound, Om.

There are two temples :

1. Omkareshwar and

2. 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 OMKARESHWAR

1. jyotrilinga is not situated below the cupola.

2. The idol of Lord Shiva is situated on the top of the temple.

3. The temple can be reached by ferry from the banks of the river.

4. A huge fair is organized here on the day of Kartik Poornima.