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Omkareshwar is now a developed place as compare to old village type reputation. The place as whole has lot of change and developments are on. Like any other religious place Omkareshwar has markets on the approach roads to all known temples. Ancient Ghats and newly created Ghats for the safety of visitors are here. Two bridges are there to connect the Mandhata and Omkareshwar over Narmada. Many small hotels with low rates are there.
OmkAreshwar is a beautiful self manifest (swayambhu) linga. From
the Vindhyanchal mountain range in Madhya Pradesh, river Narmada,
turns westward and meanders in that direction. The deep wide
river looks like it has assimilated into itself all the sins and
sorrows of the humans and releasing them from these.This river
Narmada, This river Narmada, which flows rippling from
the mountains,
is also known as “Reva”. The smooth, round pebbles found in
this river are called “BanaLingas”.
“Narmada ke Kankar, UtteShankar” is the belief of the
devotees. That is how, Narmada is also known as “Shankari” river.
OmkAreshwar jothiling temple
On the banks of river Narmada, there is a huge island on
which the fourth of the JyotirLinga “Omkaram Amaleshwar” is
situated. This island and the river are shaped like “OM” and that
is how it derives its name. It is a natural phenomenon. The
devotees who go round the temple consider themselves blessed
because they are doing a Parikrama or Circumambulation of Omkara
itself and Darshan of the holy JyotirLinga. The Narmada banks and
the island are extremely beautiful. The beauty of Nature here is
seen to be believed. The houses perched on the terraced green,
strong mountains, the temple, KotiTeerth located in the waterfalls
and valleys like Chakrateerts are some of the places to be seen.
One can see very big fish and also crocodiles in these waers. There
are many trees with beautiful creepers all over them. Groups of
monkeys live on these trees. There are a variety of birds. The
temple towers look bright and shiny in between. The whole
atmosphere echoes with the the sound of “Om Namah Shivaya”. It is
here that Lord Sankara has taken the forms of “Omkareshwara” and
“Amaleshwara”, as JyotirLinga.
sthala purana of
Omkareshvar
In the ancient times the Demons defeated the gods or
divines. Indra was worried. The Danavas or Demons have wrecked
havoc in all the three worlds, i.e., Trilokas. In order to empower
the Devas once again, Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirmaya
Omkararoop. He came out of the nether world or Patala. Lord Shankar
came out in the form of Linga on the banks of river Narmada. The
gods or Devas have worshipped the Linga which made them powerful
once again. This time they were able to destroy the demons and
re-acquiesced their empire in Heavens.
Brahma and Vishnu also lived in the same place as Omkar
Amaleshwar. That is why on the banks of Narmada Brahmapuri,
Vishnupuri and Rudrapuri are built which are known as Tripuri
Kshetra. The Amareshwar JyotiraLinga is situated in
Rudrapuri.
Later on, in the mythological era or Purana Kala, Yavanaswa
Putra Mandhata came into power here with the blessings of Indra. He
served Lord Shankara with great devotion. Lord Shankara was pleased
with him. The waters of Narmada emanated from the Arghya (holy
water) or Jalahari of the Omkar JyotirLinga and flown through the
mountains, downward and later on flow unseen. Narmada joins the
deep-water spring located near the Linga idol of Omkareshwar. It
flows there eternally. When some bubbles appear at the bottom of
this spring, it is said, that Lord Shankar is
pleased.
King Mandhata made this holy place his capital. Therefore,
this place is also known as Omkar Mandhata. The descendents of
Mandhata live here even today. The Vindhya mountain also performed
a severe penance and pleased Omkar-Amareshwar. As a result of
which, the whole place turned beautiful. Many hermits like Agastya
have performed severe penances and japas at Omkar-Amaleshwaram
JyotirLingam. They had built their
hermitages.
This place of pilgrimage became famous in the historical
times too. In 1063 AD, Paramarking Udayaditya installed four stone
inscriptions with four Sanskrit Stotras and dedicated them to the
Amaleshwar Temple. Pushpadanta’s “Shiva Mahima Stotra” can also be
seen as a stone inscription.
Initially aboriginals used to live here on Omkareshwar
island as a settlement. It belonged to Kalika devi. Devotees of
this goddess were known as Bhairavgan and used to harass pilgrims.
They used to sacrifice them. After sometime, a saint by the name
Dariyayinath took charge of that place and stopped the atrocities
of the Bhairavgan. Since then, pilgrims started moving there
freely.
After that, Bhil reign began there. In 1195 AD, King Bharat
Singh Cahuhan won over the Bhils and improved the grandeur of the
Omkar Mandhata. Even today the palace ruins of Raja Bahrat Singh
Chauhan can be seen. The heirs of Bharat Singh Chauhan call
themselves the ‘Kings’ of Omkar island, even now staking their
right.
The temple was renovated by Peshwa Baji Rao, the second.
After Peshwa, Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar, has made several
improvements in this ancient shrine. She built strong, expansive
and beautiful ghats. The important one among there is the Kotir
Lingarchana schedule.
Major Attractions
Apart from the main shrine, other major temples like
Siddhanath Temple, Satmatrika temple, etc are great places to visit
while you are here. A fresco of elephants, carved on a stone slab,
is also a major draw on account of being a classic example of early
medieval Brahmanatic architecture. The best time to visit the
temple is during the major festivals dedicated Lord Shiva.
Shivratri, believed to be the birthday of Lord Shiva, is the main
day when one should visit this temple. For this festival, Shiva is
decorated in the most exquisite and elaborate manner and the entire
place echoes of religious hymns and
incantations.
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