Jyotirlinga 4 of 12
Omkareshwar
ओंकारेश्वर
Mandhata (Shivapuri) island, Narmada, near Khandwa · Madhya Pradesh
Stung by Narada's remark that Meru stands higher, the mountain Vindhya worships Shiva for six months at Omkara; Shiva grants the boon and stays in two forms, the parthiva lingam and Pranava.
In the list of twelve (Shata Rudra Samhita)
Amareshvara in Omkara. The Shata Rudra list names this one Amareshvara, calls it the fourth avatara, and says Brahma established a parthiva lingam there from which Shiva manifested to satisfy Vindhya, remaining in two forms at the devas' request.
The story in the Shiva Purana
A condensed retelling, about a third of the source length, from Bibek Debroy's translation. The chapters linked below give the Purana's account chapter by chapter. Quoted speech is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation.
Narada and the proud mountain
Narada, on his way from Gokarna, came to Vindhya, the lord of mountains. Vindhya received him with great respect and, standing before him, said with pride that everything exists in it and there is nothing it lacks. Narada heard those proud words and sighed. Vindhya asked why he sighed and what it lacked. Narada replied that it indeed had everything, but that Meru is loftier, and that Meru is classed as a deva, which Vindhya never is. With that he left.
Vindhya's austerity
Vindhya lamented, "Shame on my life," and decided to perform austerities and worship Vishveshvara Shambhu. It went to the place called Omkara, made a parthiva image of Shiva and worshipped it for six months, absorbed in meditation and unmoving. Parvati's husband was pleased and showed his form, hard for even yogis to see. He told Vindhya to ask for what was in its mind.
A boon with a caution
Vindhya asked for the intelligence to succeed in its desired task. The text pauses here on Shiva's thinking. Bhagavan Shambhu considered for some time: Vindhya is foolish and wants this boon to oppress others, so what should I do? A boon, he reasoned, must not cause great hardship to others. Nevertheless he granted it: "Do whatever you wish."
The chapter does not go on to say what Vindhya did with the boon. It turns straight to the devas' request.
One lingam in two forms
The devas and rishis then worshipped Shankara and asked him to remain there. Hearing them, Parameshvara was pleased and wished to be a source of happiness to the worlds. The single lingam of Omkara is divided into two. In Pranava, Sadashiva is known by the name Omkara. Parameshvara also exists in the parthiva form. Both, the text says, grant devotees what they desire, and both bestow pleasure and emancipation.
The devas worshipped him, obtained many boons and went home. Vindhya, glad to have accomplished its purpose, gave up its lament. Suta says that one who worships Shambhu in this way does not have to live in a mother's womb again.
Read the source chapters
The temple today
From Wikipedia's article on the temple. Disputed or inconsistent items are marked as such, not resolved.
History
- 11th centuryThe Wikipedia article says the temple is believed to have been built by the Paramara kings of Malwa, and that the Chauhan rulers later took over its administration.
- 18th centuryThe Holkar rulers rebuilt it, begun under Gautama Bai Holkar and completed by Ahilyabai Holkar.
- 1947 onwardAfter independence the Archaeological Survey of India took responsibility for the temple, with help from the Khandwa administration.
Architecture
The temple is on Mandhata (Shivapuri) island in the Narmada. The island is about 4 km long, and its shape is said to resemble the sacred syllable ॐ.
The jyotirlinga is described as a roundish black stone, with a white stone beside it representing Parvati. Shrines to Parvati and Ganapati are within the complex.
Features and practices
- Omkareshwar is the island temple. Mamleshwar (also spelled Amaleshwar), a Shiva temple on the Narmada's southern bank, is closely associated with it and is the likely reason the Shata Rudra list uses the name Amareshvara. The Purana itself does not explain the pairing in the chapter retold here.
- The Kaveri, a tributary, flows by the island.
Getting there
The temple is near Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, about 16 km from Barwaha. Nearest airport is Indore and nearest railway stations are Khandwa Junction and Mhow. On the island, visitors reach the temple by boat or by bridge.
Before you go
- Darshan hours, special-ritual rules and access change over time. Confirm with the temple trust or the local authorities before you travel.
Source note
Story: Koti Rudra Samhita chapter 18 and Shata Rudra Samhita chapter 42, condensed to roughly a third of the source length (the linked Purana chapters give the account chapter by chapter). Temple facts: Wikipedia's Omkareshwar Temple article, which covers little architecture and no rituals. The article's own date for an invader attack looks wrong, so that item is left out. The link between Amareshvara and Mamleshwar is this page's reading, not a statement in the Purana.