OMKARESHWAR SIVA TEMPLE
AT
KHANDWA
Omkareshwar shiva temple is situated in the khandwa district of the state of Madhya pradesh.Omkareshwar is a holy town situated at a
distance of 77 km from Indore. It derives its name from the sacred Hindu symbol
of Om.
The place is a pilgrimage site, as there are a number of Hindu temples
and Jain temples located here. It is basically an island, in the shape of Om,
on the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri. The island is divided into
north and south by a deep gully and is linked by a bridge. A boat ride in
Narmada River around the island of Omkareshwar is quite enjoyable.
Omkareshwar is considered to be one of the
holiest Hindu sites in the nation. This is due to the presence of the
Jyotirlingam, one of the twelve in India. Lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva but the
Jyotirlingam is special. Jyotirlingam
is called the lingam of light. It is said to derive currents of
power from within itself. While, an
ordinary lingam is ritually invested with mantra shakti (power invested by chants) by
the priests. The Jyotirlingam is enshrined in the Temple of Sri Omkareshwar
Mahadeo.
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 waters.
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.
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.
Omkareshwar temple is the main attraction
of the pilgrims. In fact the town owes its very existence to this temple. As to
who constructed the temple and when , is all shrouded in mystry.
The sanctum sanctorum
containing the Jyotirlinga seems to have
been originally a small temple of the old construction style, the dome being
made of layers of stone slabs and not of circular cut stones.
As this temple is too close to the
precipitously deep bank of the Narmada to
the south, the great extension is of new construction style. This is the reason
why the sanctum sanctorum and the main deity are neither in the front of the
main door nor below the higher conspicuous Shikhar or the tower of later
construction.
By Air
The nearest airport is
Indore (77KM), Connected by regular flights from all over India
By Railway
Nearest railhead is
Omkareshwar road (Mortakka) 12 KM on ratlam Khandawa section of Western Railway
By Road
Omkareshwar is connected
to Indore Khandawa and Ujjain by regular bus services
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