Jyodhir Lingam Omkareswarer

" Omkara Mantra Nilayam Mandhara Kusumapriyam |
Prutharaga priyadharam Jyothir mayam sivam Namami ||

Omkareswarar temple is in the vindya mountains on an island in the middle of river Narmadha at its confluence with river Cauvery . This is one of the 12 'Jyothir linga Kshetrams '. This temple was built by Gupta kings in the 4th centuary. Normally the temple tower would be right over the sanctum. But here the sanctum is located on the northern side of the tower. Constantly water keeps flowing around the Lingam and this is said to be the water from the river narmada though the sanctum is on a level higher than the river. On the southern side Devi Parvathi's sanctum is located. The epic Siva-puran says that once Narada visited Vindya mountain in the form of king Vindya. Narada was given a warm welcome. Vindya told Narada with great pride that it had everything and was very happy. Naradha wanted to destroy Vindya's pride. So Naradha told Vindya that all the gods lived only in Meru Mountain because it was the tallest mountain in this world. Vindya was very sad on hearing this. So he started on a penance to Lord Siva. Vindya drew an "Omkara pranavam" on the floor. He made a mud lingam and placed it on the line of the drawing and did pooja to Lord Siva for 6 months without moving from the place. Siva saw his steady and rigorous pooja and appeared as Jyothi in front of Vindya and asked " what is your wish and why this rigorous pooja to me?" Vindya said " Lord I wish to grow taller than all other mountains. kindly give me the energy to realise my wish" Lord Siva thought it was not good to grant this wish to Vindhya. However he could not deny granting the boon. So he told "Vindya it shall be as you like but with one condition ; that if you be proud about your power you will be brought down in size by one of my devotees." Vindya agreed and was very happy. Vindya and all the devas requested Lord Siva to kindly descend on the Lingam on the "Omkara yantra" drawn by Vindya as Swayambu (self incarnation) to which Vindya did Pooja." Easwara incarnated in Jyothi-swaroopa accordingly as Omkareswarar.                                                Om Hreem Namasivaya! Location   This temple is in vindya mountains at the confluence of river Narmada and Cauvery in Madhya pradesh

Somanadham
                                                    Home