#Jyotirlinga Omkareshwar
Jyothirlingas # Omkareshwar
The Jyothirlingas have a
significant religious, spiritual, historical and religious importance in
Bharat. In addition to being a must do in the pilgrim circuit, the Jyothirlingas
have a story to tell. Let us understand and appreciate the puranic stories
behind these places, the history and the societal significance in the present
context.
Somnath is the oldest Jyothirlinga.
The temple is located in Veraval in Gujarat. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlingas-somnath.html). The second Jyothirlinga is
Mallikarjuna in Srisailam in present day AndhraPradesh
(https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mallikarjunaswamy-and.html).
We had covered the story of
Mahakaaleshwar in Ujjain in MadhyaPradesh. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mahakaaleshwar.html).
The fourth Jyothirlinga is at
Omkareshwar. Omkareshwar is also in Madhyapradesh. Omkareshwar, means Lord of
Omkaara. There are actually two separate lingas – Omkareshwar and Mamaleshwara
(Also known as Amaleshwara or Amareshwara). These are but two lingas in the
north and south banks of the river Narmada. Mamaleshwar Jyothirlinga sits on
the south bank of the river Narmada while Omkareshwar sits in the north bank of
the river Narmada. It is said that the river Goddess Narmada is the daughter of Lord Shiva as she was
created from his sweat while he was in penance. The father has a special
affection for his daughter
सौराष्ट्रे
सोमनाथंच श्री शैले मल्लिकार्जुनम् |
उज्जयिन्यां
महाकालमोंकारममलेश्वरम् ||
In this verse, Mamaleshwar is
described as a Jyothirlinga in the Omkareshwar region. The locals consider
Omkareshwar as the soul of Lord Shiva while Mamaleshwar as his body. Hence both
together constitute the fourth Jyotirlinga.
Story behind the Jyotirlinga
There are many stories
associated with this Jyothirlinga. The first one is the story about the Vindhya
mountain. It is believed that once Narada met the Vindhya Mountain and
described the beauty and glory of the Sumeru mountain in detail. The Vindha got
jealous and kept growing. This created a havoc in the region disrupting natural
monsoonic and wind patterns. The Devas requested Sage Agasthya to help them.
The mountain bowed for Sage Agasthya who went to the southern part of the
country and at the request of the Sage stopped growing as it is waiting for the
Sage to cross back to the north.
In another version of the same
story, it is said that Vindyas prayed to Shiva for the sin of being arrogant
and created a Shivling out of sand and clay for doing the prayers. Shiva was pleased
with
Vindyas and appeared in two forms
on either side – Omkareshwar and Mamaleshwar.
In another version of the story, one of the forefathers of
Lord Rama, King Mandhata, worshipped Lord Shiva and did a severe penance for
the darshan of the Lord. The Lord was pleased and appeared to King Mandhata in
the form of Omkareshwar. The place where the Omkareshwar Shivling is located is
called as Mandhata in the Kandva district of Madhya Pradesh. The sons of
Mandata – Ambarish and Muchukunda - were also believed to have undertaken
severe penance to please Shiva in this region and as a recognition of their
devotion, the region got the name of their father Mandhata.
As always there is a puranic
version with the Devas and the Danavas in the picture. In that story, it is
said that during one of the divine wars between the Devas and the Danavas the
Devas suffered a huge set back. They had to hide in the Vindhya mountains and
prayed to Lord Shiva. Please with their prayers, Lord Shiva appeared as
Omkareshwar and vanquished the Danavas.
We can pick whichever version
of the origin we find more acceptable. The most important thing is the divine
presence of Lord Shiva on both sides of the river Narmada. Perhaps it is a
symbolic representation of a father protecting his daughter from all sides? The
pebbles in the river Narmada. No wonder the pebbles in the bottom of the river
Narmada are revered as Narmadeshwar Shivling with each of them representing a
swayambu or an existing Shivling for which prayers can be offered.
History of the temple
The temple is of 11th
century origin. Originally built by the Kings of Malwa. The Chauhans took over
the administration of the temples from the Kings of Malwa. The Omkareshwar
temple – like many in the region was attacked by the Mughals in the 13rh
century. While not damaged as much as Somnath, it still suffered. The temple
was rebuilt by Rani AhilyaDevi Holkar in the 19th century.The temple
is a beautifully located structure on the banks of the Narmada. Do visit this
spiritually and historically important kshetra.
Considered as one of the most
important pilgrimage spots on the Narmada circuit, Omkareshwar is also the place
where Jagatguru Adi Shankara met his Guru Goviinda Bhagavatpada. Maybe it’s the
place, maybe it’s the mountains, maybe it’s the Narmada or maybe its Lord Shiva
– whatever your reason, Omkareshwar is a must visit for every devout Sanatani.
HarHar Mahadev!!
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