Omkareshwar Most Sacred of Sacred Islands Omkareshwar known

Omkareshwar Most Sacred of Sacred Islands • Omkareshwar, known as Mandhata Omkareshwar is a holy island shaped like the sacred Hindu symbol "OM". • The rivers Narmada and Kaveri converge together forming the island Mandhata. • Do you see the OM symbol on the island?

Southern bank of Omkareshwar • This is a view of the Southern bank of the island Omkareshwar • The temple is the main attraction to pilgrims coming to worship

Omkareshwar • This view displays more of the village houses, temples, shops and the King's palace • Every Monday the gold plated three headed idol of Lord Omkar is taken from the temple by priests and devotees, through the village to the river to worship

Evening lights • Evening lights of Omkareshwar reflecting on the waters of the Narmada river while local woman presents offerings and prayers

Sunrise view • Sunrise view from bridge crossing over the Narmada river

View of the bridge • View of the bridge crossing the Narmada river at Omkareshwar • Constructed in 1979 the Cantiliver bridge has brought prosperous rewards to the village with increased tourism

Beautiful view of the bridge • Beautiful view of the bridge, hills and both river banks surrounding Omkareshwar

View of Omkareshwar and bridge • View of Omkareshwar and bridge from south bank of Narmada river

View from the hillside • View from the hillside behind the temple, looking across to the southern bank of the Narmada river

View of temple, village houses • View from above the temple, village houses and shops with southern bank of the Narmada river in the background

Pilgrimage across the scared island • Pilgrimage across the scared island showing in the background the Kaveri and Narmada rivers flowing north and south of the island

Beautiful day • Beautiful day on the banks of the Narmada river

Holy steps • Holy steps leading to the Heavenly Hill -The Home of Omkaresvara

View facing the west • Westward view of Narmada river with Omkareshwar on the right

A Contrast of ideals • A Contrast of ideals. . . ……. • The woman thinking of the other world (offering holy prayer waters) • The man still absorbed in this world (grooming)

Ferry boats • Ferry boats crossing the Narmada River was the only transportation across the river before the bridge was built

Construction styles • This close up of the buildings along the river bank displays the differences in styles of construction

Golden Sunrise • Golden sunrise along the Narmada river in India

Omkara Mandhata A Paradise for Pilgrims Temples of Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar Temple • Omkareshwar Temple is the main attraction to many pilgrims each year

Omkareshwar Temple • Priest inside the Omkareshwar temple

Garbha Grih • Garbha Grih located inside the Omkareshwar temple

Rinmukteshwar Temple • Temple shrine where offerings of gram pulse will absolve all debts unpaid in present or previous births

Gauri Somnath • This star shaped temple, contains a gigantic six foot Shivlinga • The lingam is made of a smooth black stone • Outside a sitting Nandi (scared bull) of similar stone

Chand-Suraj Gate • The gate made of redyellow stone has very fine carvings

Siddhnath Temple • The architect of this temple is inspiring • Supported by a huge plinth with relief carving of about 50 elephants that are 5 feet high

Ashapuri Temple • This old renovated temple contains the family deity of the tribals and the Rao family • A statue of the Goddess is worth seeing also

Mamleshwar Temple • The correct name for this temple is Amreshwar • Ancient stone work contains the inscription of Mahims Stotra dated 1063 A. D.

Brudheshwar • Brudheshwar Temple entrance • Annapurna Ashram – The Swami Sacchidanandji Maharaj, a learned saint, guides the Ashram.

Markandeya Sanyas Ashram • This Ashram is 30 years old, it shows how the ancient ashram of the “Rishis’ could be like

Govindeshwar Temple • The Govindeshwar temple renovations have been costly • A special trust was founded to maintain the temple and the Gufa

Credit: “spaceimaging. com” • This satellite image shows the Kaveri river (lower right corner) with its swift current converging from the south into the Narmada river • Flowing to the north of the island only to once again merge west of the island with the Narmada river's slower current • A perfect ending for our presentation

Presented by Linda Canestraight University of Missouri Email: canestraightl@missouri. edu