Omkareshwar Temple
The Jyotir Lingam split
into two, and there are two Siva lingams, Omkareswarar & Amaleshwarar
(Amareshwarar).
Mandhata was a great Emperor
of the Ishvaku clan who ruled this land. He did great penance
in this land & there is an ashram called Mandhata ashram here.
This spiritual and all
powerful jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. There
Lord Shiva came in the form of Mahakal out of the linga that split and
killed the demon. Therefore all those who pray to this linga will never
fear death and if their faith is true they will be out of the chakra of
life and death.
The Omkareshawar temple
is built in the North Inidan style of architecture, with high spires.
Devotees consider worship to Panchamuga Ganesha, to be very auspicious.
There is a shrine for Annapoorani. Siva Lingas of various sizes are
sold in great numbers in this place. It is said that once, sage Naradar
during his visit to the Vindyas, sang the praise of mount Meru to Mount
Vindhya. On hearing this, Mount Vindhya prayed to Lord Siva to gain
in importance. Lord Siva blessed him & appeared here as Omkareshwarar
& Amaleshwarar and gave the boon of grwoing, but without hindering
Siva devotees.. But the Vindhyas did not stop growing, and even obstructed
the sun and the moon. Sage Agasthyar subdued its growth by saying
it should not grow till he gets back there. He never went back &
hence the growth was arrested. Omkareshwar is situated on the Mandhata
hills in Madhya Pradesh, known in ancient times as Shivpuri. The
temple dates back to the Krita Yuga. River Narmada flows here around
the Mandhata hill in the form of an Om (Omkaram).