SRI OMKARA MAMALESHWARAM

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SRI OMKARA MAMALESHWARAM

 

Omkareshwar is a beautiful self manifest (swayambhu) linga.

>From the Vindhyanchal mountain range in Madhya Pradesh, river

Narmada, turns westward and meanders in that direction. The deep

wide river looks like it has assimilated into itself all the sins

and sorrows of the humans and releasing them from these. This river

Narmada, which flows rippling from the mountains, is also known

as "Reva". The smooth, round pebbles found in this river are

called "BanaLingas".

 

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On the banks of river Narmada, there is a huge island on which

the fourth of the JyotirLinga "Omkaram Amaleshwar" is situated.

This island and the river are shaped like "OM" and that is how it

derives its name. It is a natural phenomenon. The devotees who go

round the temple consider themselves blessed because they are doing

a Parikrama or Circumambulation of Omkara itself and Darshan of the

holy JyotirLinga. The Narmada banks and the island are extremely

beautiful. The beauty of Nature here is seen to be believed. The

houses perched on the terraced green, strong mountains, the temple,

KotiTeerth located in the waterfalls and valleys like Chakrateerts

are some of the places to be seen. One can see very big fish and

also crocodiles in these waters. There are many trees with

beautiful creepers all over them. Groups of monkeys live on these

trees. There are a variety of birds. The temple towers look bright

and shiny in between. The whole atmosphere echoes with the

sound of "Om Namah Shivaya". It is here that Lord Sankara has

taken the forms of "Omkareshwara" and "Amaleshwara", as JyotirLinga.

Sthala puranaa of Omkareshvar

 

In the ancient times the Demons defeated the gods or divines.

Indra was worried. The Danavas or Demons have wrecked havoc in all

the three worlds, i.e., Trilokas. In order to empower the Devas

once again, Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirmaya Omkararoop.

He came out of the nether world or Patala. Lord Shankar came out in

the form of Linga on the banks of river Narmada. The gods or Devas

have worshipped the Linga which made them powerful once again. This

time they were able to destroy the demons and re-acquired their

empire in Heavens.

 

Brahma and Vishnu also lived in the same place as Omkar

Amaleshwar. That is why on the banks of Narmada Brahmapuri,

Vishnupuri and Rudrapuri are built which are known as Tripuri

Kshetra. The Amareshwar JyotiraLinga is situated in Rudrapuri.

 

Later on, in the mythological era or Purana Kala, Yavanaswa

Putra Mandhata came into power here with the blessings of Indra. He

served Lord Shankara with great devotion. Lord Shankara was pleased

with him. The waters of Narmada emanated from the Arghya (holy

water) or Jalahari of the Omkar JyotirLinga and flown through the

mountains, downward and later on flow unseen. Narmada joins the

deep-water spring located near the Linga idol of Omkareshwar. It

flows there eternally. When some bubbles appear at the bottom of

this spring, it is said, that Lord Shankar is pleased.

 

King Mandhata made this holy place his capital. Therefore,

this place is also known as Omkar Mandhata. The descendents of

Mandhata live here even today. The Vindhya Mountain also performed

a severe penance and pleased Omkar-Amareshwar. As a result of

which, the whole place turned beautiful. Many hermits like Agastya

have performed severe penances and japas at Omkar-Amaleshwaram

JyotirLingam. They had built their hermitages.

 

This place of pilgrimage became famous in the historical times

too. In 1063 AD, Paramarking Udayaditya installed four stone

inscriptions with four Sanskrit Stotras and dedicated them to the

Amaleshwar Temple. Pushpadanta's "Shiva Mahima Stotra" can also be

seen as a stone inscription.

 

Regards

Prasanna kumar