Omkareshwar is one of the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas. The shrine is situated on a one-mile long island in the River Narmada in central India. On the northern bank of the river are the steep hills of the Vindhya Mountains and on the southern bank are the Satpura Mountains. The island is in the form of a hill known as Mandhata or Shivpuri. Actually there are two high hills divided by a valley. When viewed from above the island resembles the symbol for the holy primeval sound Omkar or Aum. The name Omkareshwar derives from this and is an incarnation of Shiva as the Lord of Omkar. Actually there are two Shiva temples on the island, the other one being Amareshwar or Lord of Immortality.
The Omkareshwar temple has been built in the Nagara style, which is characterized by a lofty shikhar or spire. The Jyotirlinga is not fixed to the ground. In fact it is not below the dome but set on top of the temple. The temple is built with soft stone and therefore its surface is subject to intricate carving. The frieze work on the upper portion of the temple and the detailed carvings on the roof are noteworthy. Corridors encircle the main shrine the columns of which have a variety of geometrical cross-sections.
The full moon night in the Hindu month of Kartik is the occasion of a huge fair.
The Legend
According to legend the Omkareshwar temple dates back to Satya Yuga and its greatness is written about in the Shiva Purana. The tale of the origin of the temple is very interesting. Once sage Narada visited the Vindhya Mountains in central India. He belittled the Vindhya by emphasizing its insignificance when compared with the holy Mount Meru. Vindhya was miffed and began to pray to Shiva in order to seek a boon that would ensure its greatness. Shiva was pleased and appeared in the form of Omkareshwar and Amareshwar on the island in the River Narmada. He blessed the Vindhya and gave it the boon of growing. The Vindhya Mountain then grew and grew till it began to obstruct the sun and the moon. Then the powerful sage Agastya intervened and instructed Vindhya to hold its growth till he returned from a pilgrimage. The sage left the region never to return. The Vindhya Mountain has not grown since then.
Mandhata was a king in the Solar Dynasty. Two of his sons, Ambarish and Mucchkund, worshipped at the Omkareshwar temple. They performed severe penances and sacrifices there. Thereafter the island came to be known as Mandhata.
The History
In ancient times, Govinda Bhagavatpada, the preceptor of Adi Shankaracharya, lived in a cave on this island. In the 11th century the armies of the Muslim invader Mohammed of Ghazni damaged the shrine of Omkareshwar. Despite that today several temples flourish on this small island. At one time the only access to the temple was by ferryboat across the river. In 1979 a cantilever bridge was constructed 270 feet above the river for the convenience of the pilgrims.
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