Omkareshwar Temple, Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar Temple, Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mandhata in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh State in India It is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river; the shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu Om symbol. Omkareshwar is formed by the sacred river Narmada. This is one of the most sacred of rivers in India and is now home to one of the world's biggest dam projects. The temple is situated on Mandhata island on the banks of Narmada and river Kaveri (a tributary of Narmada).

The island is 2.6 km2 (2,600,000 m2) in area and can be approached by boats. There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here, one dedicated to Omkareshwar located in the island and one to Mamaleshwar located on the south bank of Narmada River on the mainland. As per the sloka on Dwadasa Jyotirlinga, Mamaleshwar is the Jyotirlinga, nonetheless, many consider both Omkareshwar and Mamaleshwar equally sacred and representative of Jyotirlinga at this sacred place.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/omkareshwar-temple-mandhata-legends.html

History

According to the history of Omkareshwar Temple, nobody knows the original date of construction of this historic temple. The earliest evidence states that in 1063, King Udayaditya installed four stone inscriptions each with Sanskrit Stotras. In 1195, Raja Bharat Singh Chauhan renovated the temple and built a palace near it. In the medieval period, Mandhata, the area where Omkareshwar Temple was situated, was ruled by the aboriginal Bhil chieftains under the suzerainty of the Parmaras of Dhar, the sultans of Malwa, the Scindia of Gwalior, who in turn handed over Mandhata to the British in 1824.  The last Bhil chieftain Natthu Bhil fell out with Daryao Gosai a powerful priest of the place. The latter approached the king of Jaipur to set right Natthu Bhil.

The king sent his brother Bharatsingh Chauhan, then Subedar of Jhalarapatan on the border of Malwa. Finally, the entire tussle ended with the marriage of Bharatsingh and the only daughter of Natthu Bhil. Bharatsingh along with some of Rajput associates who also married other Bhil girls settled in Mandhata in 1165 A.D. Their progeny is called Bhilalas. Bharatsingh’s descendants ruled Omkareshwar since then. During the British rule the Rajas (Officially known as Raos) had Mandhata Omkareshwar as their Jagir rights, all abolished now. Bharatsingh’s direct descendants are called Rajputs.  

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/omkareshwar-temple-mandhata-temple.html

Pooja Timings

Timings	From	To
Morning Darshan	5 AM	3:50 PM
Evening Darshan	4:15 PM	9:30 PM
Mangal Aarti	5 AM	5:30 AM
Jalabhiseka	5:30 AM	12:25 PM
Evening Aarti	8:20 PM	9:05 PM

Poojas & Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/04/omkareshwar-temple-mandhata-poojas-festivals.html

Religious Significance

The significance of Omkareshwar temple is that the Jyotirlinga is split in nature – one half in the Omkareshwar Temple (known as Omkar) and the other half in the Mamaleshwar Temple (known as Amaleshwar). The pilgrims must visit both these temples to get a darshan of the complete Jyotirlinga.

Prayers

Devotees also believe that by performing Aarti at the Koti Tirth (on the banks of River Narmada), one can achieve health and happiness in life. As per some other beliefs, one can earn Punya or Blessing if one offers Naivedyam Bhog from their home to the Lord Shiva’s Linga on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Omkareshwar Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Sanawad Railway Station, 12 Kms from Omkareshwar Road Railway Station, 70 Kms from Khandwa, 78 Kms from Indore Junction Railway Station, 78 Kms from Indore, 84 Kms from Indore Airport, 139 Kms from Ujjain and 257 Kms from Bhopal.

Omkareshwar is connected to Indore, Khandwa, Bhopal and Ujjain by regular bus services. Nearest Railway Stations are Omkareshwar Road (Mortakka) and Sanawad Ratlam - Khandwa section of Western Railway. The nearest airport is located at Indore, connected by regular flights from all over India. Indore having direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and other major cities.

Location