Omkareshwar Temple, Mandhata – The Temple
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. The Omkareshwar Temple is built in
the Nagara style and is characterized by a lofty shikhara. 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. The temple can be reached by ferry from
the banks of the river. The temple is 5 storeyed each having a different deity.
Omkareshwar temple has a grand Sabha Mandap (meeting or prayer hall) standing
on about 60 huge brown stone pillar (14 feet high), elaborately carved with a
curious frieze and fillet of satyr like figures. Many of them have broad
shoulders and meditating foreheads.
Before entering the sanctum, one has to pass through two
rooms. The unique feature of this Jyotirlinga is not situated below the usual
Cupola (dome-like structure where temples keep the idols of Gods). Instead, it
is present at the top of the temple. Moreover, the temple did not fix the
Omkareshwar Linga to the ground. It is naturally present there with water
surrounding it.
Mahakaleshwar Shrine is situated on the first floor of
the Temple and it commands an excellent view of Narmada River. It also has a
beautiful sculpture for River Narmada. Shrines
of Siddnath, Gupteshwar and Dhwajeshwar are located on the 3rd,
4th and 5th floor of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. There is a
shrine for Annapurna and five-faced Ganapati in
the temple.
There are three regular ‘Pujas’ in the temple. The
morning one done by the temple trust, the middle one by the priest of Scindia
state and the evening one by the priest of the Holkar state. The temple is
always crowded with pilgrims, coming after a bath in the Narmada and with pots
full of Narmada water, coconuts and articles of worship, many of them
performing Abhishek or special worships through the priests.
Adi Shankara's
Cave:
Omkareshwar is said to be the place where Sri Adi
Sankara met his Guru Govindapada in a
cave. This cave can be found even today just below the Shiva temple where an
image of Adi Shankara has been installed.
Mamaleshwar
Temple:
The other half of the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is present
here. The Linga itself is popular as Amareshwar. The temple is small with a
hall as well as a sanctum. One can also perform the Linga Abhishekam
themselves.
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