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Hindu Temples :-
Lord Shiva Temples
Omkareshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh
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.