Omkareshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at Mandhata
near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 12 Jyotirling Temples in India.
Mandhata is partly on the south bank of Narmada River and partly on an island
of the river.
Legend has it that Shiva agreed to stay on Mandhata Island to
fulfill the boon he gave to king Mandhata. Shiva decided to be present here as
Omkareshwar Jyothirlinga.
Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Shivling at Omkareshwar
Temple. The original shrine was built by the Paramaras in the 11th century and
rebuilt by the Holkars in the 19th century.
The shikhara of the temple is said to correspond with Mount
Meru.
A series of steps from the ghats leads up to the mandapa of the
temple, which is decorated with carved pillars. Murtis of Ganesh, Ram, Sita and
other gods can be seen here. Nandi is found after the Mandapa.
There are also separate three shrines dedicated to Siddhanath,
Kedareshwar and Guptnath – manifestations of Shiva.
Omkareshwar Shivling is black in color and the murti of
Goddess Parvati is found behind the main sanctum sanctorum. An Akshanda Deepa,
a permanently lit lamp, is found here.
There is a hollow around the Shivling worshipped at Omkareshwar
Temple. The water level in the hollow remains constant after pouring an amount
of water. Occasionally air bubbles come to the surface, which is interpreted as
the deity’s satisfaction with the offerings to the pilgrims.
Women with desire to have healthy children imprint swastika
mark on the walls of the four-storeyed temple and tie a string around the image
of Goddess inside.
Shivratri and Kartik Purnima attract maximum devotees.