Do you see an OM symbol on the island of Omkareshvar below?
Do you see an OM symbol on the island of Omkareshvar below?
"Credit: spaceimaging.com Copyright (c) Space Imaging. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED".
Omkareshvar, also known as Mandhata Omkareshvar is a holy island
shaped like the
sacred symbol "OM".
The rivers Narmada and Kaveri converge together forming the island Omkara Mandhata.
Nature has blessed this island with two hillside
ranges that reveal the sacred symbol 'Om', visable only from above.
The island is located 77km south of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, India.
It draws thousands of devotees daily to one of twelve
Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
The Legend is, that the Vindhya mountain prayed to Shiva - Omkareshvara and was blessed here. As the
legend goes, upon the request of
the Devas, the Shivalinga split into two, one half becoming Omkareshvara and the other Amaleshvara. King
Mandhatha of the
Ishvaku clan is believed to have worshipped Shiva here. Govinda Bhagavatpaada, the guru of Sankaracharya, is believed to
have lived in a cave here, as well as many others like the great philosopher Adi Shankara who was
born in 805 A.D.
This drawing of island is displayed in the entrance way to the Temple Trust office. It is only an artist drawing providing an illusion of OM, unlike a real image that reveals the hillsides that actually creates the illusion of OM.
Sankaracharya on the banks of the Narmada River.
History of the town
Mandhata Omkareshvar was ruled in the medival period by Bhil
Chieftains
under the Parmars of Dhar, the Sultans of Malwa, the
Scindia of Gwalior. In 1824 they gave Mandhata to the British. During
the British rule the Rajas lost their Jagir rights to Mandhata
Omkareshvar. In 1959 the Omkareshvar temple was declared a public
trust under the M.P. Public Trust act.1951.
It was here at Omkareshvar that Shankaracharya, born to Aryamba and
Shivaguru of Kaladi in south Kerala, at the age of eight, found
his Guru Shri Govinda Bhagavadpada and was initiated to Sannyasa. As
the legend goes, Adi Shankara walked hundreds of miles through forests,
valleys, crossing mountains and rivers finally reaching Omkareshvar to
find Shimad Govinda Bhagavatpada in a state of Nirvikalpa Nishtha in a
cave under a Banyan tree on the back of the River Narmada.
Collection of Pictures of Omkara
Mandhata - Omkareshvar
Svami Tej Anand
Managing Trustee of Omkareshvar Temple Trust
I had the pleasure of meeting Svami Tej Anand
while visiting Omkara Mandhata to obtain the
photos for this web page and Dr. Nagar's
newest publication on Omkara Mandhata.
We spoke of our work being done in honor of
Omkara Mandhata and received his blessings.
Photos of Omkara Mandhata - Omkareshvar
Omkareshvar photo credits:
Joshi & Pal - Friends of Indore,
R. P. Sharma-NYPHOTO VIDEO of Indore
Linda Canestraight
The trip to Omkara Mandhata was funded by Sarla and Murari Nagar of Columbia, Mo, USA. It was their gracious offering that made it a reality. I have known and worked with the Nagar's for many years and feel very blessed by their kindness, another example of their devotion to their work. Thank you both for your support and faith in my abilities to provide the pictures you desired. Our prayers have been answered with this bounty we offer you today. Linda Canestraight
Father George
One God - One Universe
known by many names
3-D image shows elevation and reveals an OM symbol.
The rough terrain of the hillsides reveal the OM symbol.
Collection of Temples and Remains at Omkara Mandhata
photo credits:
Joshi & Pal-Friends of Indore,
R. P. Sharma-NYPHOTO VIDEO of Indore
Linda Canestraight
Siddhanth Temple Mamleshvar Temple - South Mandhata
Mamleshvar TempleBrudheshvar Temple - South Mandhata
BrudheshvarOther Links for Omkara Mandhata - Omkareshvar
Omkareshvar Jyotirlinga Temple TrustThis website and the publications presented
within are the property of
the University of Missouri of Columbia
and Dr. Murari Lal Nager