Omkareshwar Tourism

Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river; the shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu ॐ symbol. There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here, one to Omkareshwar (whose name means "Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound") located in the island and one to Amareshwar (whose name means "Immortal lord" or "lord of the Immortals or Devas") located on the south bank of Narmada River on the mainland. As per the sloka on dwadash jyotirligam, Mamleshwar the other name of Amareshwar is the jyotirling, nonetheless, many consider both Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar equally sacred and representative of jyotirling at this sacred place.

HISTORY Omkareshwar has its own legendary history. According to one story, Vindhya mountain was visited by Narad Muni (son of Lord Brahma) in a comic mood. He told Vindhya about the greatness of Meru mountain which made Vindhya full of jealousy. He begin worship of Lord Shiva to become greater than Meru mountain. He continued his relentless worship for 6 months. He practiced severe penance and even worshipped Parvita Linga Puja without moving from its place. As a result, lord Shiva was pleased with his worship and blessed him with his desirable boon with a condition to not to become problem to Shiva devotees. At the same time Hindu Goods and Maharishis came and praised Shiva and requested to stay in that place. Shiva accepted and stayed in that place as Mamaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Full with proud and jealousy, Vindhya mountain began to grow in unconditional way and even violate the boon conditions. He even create obstruction for Sun & Moon also. All devotees and deities put the matter in knowledge to Lord Vishnu who suggested them to meet sage Agastya who is capable to solve their problem. On suggestion of Vishnu Gods meet saint Agastya and described their problem. At that time Agastya Maharishi was living in Kashi with his wife. Agastya with his wife visited Vindhya mountain and requested him to stop growing till they can go to southern part of India for worship purpose and return back. Vindhya was agree on this condition and stop its further growth. But Agastya Maharishi never returned back which put Vindhya restricted to its present state. Saint Agastya with his wife stayed in Srisailam which is also called "Kashi of South India" and Dwadash Jyotirlinga. Similarly their are some other legends also.

In later history we can discover that during 12th century, Omkareshwar was under rule of Bhil Kings. Bhil is a martial tribe mainly concentrated in Central India. It was the time when Bhil king Natthu was ruling the region and he was in a conflicting situation with powerful priest Daryo Gosai. Priest wrote a letter to Jaipur's Rajput king for help in settling the issue with Natthu Bhil. Jaipur king send his brother Bharat Singh Chauhan to do the justice with arrogant Natthu Bhil. Soon Bharat Singh Chauhan was at Natthu's door. Natthu Bhil was a shrewd person and in the name of child has only a beautiful and talented daughter. To avoid the conflict, Natthu offered a marriage proposal to Bharat Singh with his daughter which was accepted. After Natthu Bhil, Bharat Singh ruled this region and from here Bhil-Rajput genealogy begins due to which today's Bhils in this region claims themselves as descendents of Rajputs.

The old temples about Mandhata have all suffered greatly from the bigotry of the Mohammedans who ruled the country from about A.D.1400. Every old dome is overthrown, and not a single figure of a god or animal is to be found unmutilated. The fanatic Allauddin passed through the country in A.D. 1295 on his return from his Deccan raid, and as he took Asirgarh (near Burhanpur) which is not far from Omkareshwar, it was probable that he would have passed over so tempting on idol preserve. Policy of Allauddin of intolerance to other religions was continued by the Ghori princes of Malwa, and later by Mughal king Aurangzeb. While visiting the Mandhata hills and its nearby places, we can witness the remains of temples and structures which attracts interest of archaeologists. Both the hills are covered with remnants of habitations built in stones (Basalt and yellow Sand-stone) without cement.