Omkareshwar: A photo blog
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| Siddhnath Temple |
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| Bathing ghats at the western tip of Mandata Island |
Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, India is revered pilgrimage spot, particularly for Shivites. One of the 12 Jyotir Lingams associated with Lord Shiva is located at Mandata Island at Omkareshwar. Mandata is a river island created by the Narmada river,
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| Chandra Sooraj gate (Sun moon gate) |
Bathing at the confluence (Sangam) of Kaveri and Narmada at the western tip of Mandata island is supposed to remove all sins. I got there by 7: 30 AM and many are already bathing there. However, on the way here I happened to see raw sewage being discharged into the Narmada. I could not gather courage to take a de-sinning dip.
I sprinkled some water on myself hoping to erase all my bad Karma. The spot where people take their baths believing to be the Sangam is, in reality, the Narmada river re-joining after parting at the eastern end of Mandhata island! The geographic confluence of Narmada and Kaveri is located behind the Narmada dam.
There is an ancient 6 KM walkway around Mandata Island. The walk passes through many old temples. Along the trail are a few majestic gates built by the ancients. A massive statue of Adi Shankaracharyan that is under construction will be the latest addition to this holy island.
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| Chandra Sooraj gate (Sun moon gate) |
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| Carvings on Chandra Sooraj gate (Sun moon gate) |
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| Carvings on Chandra Sooraj gate (Sun moon gate) |
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| Carvings on Chandra Sooraj gate (Sun moon gate) |
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| Gori Somnath temple. There are 3 shrines on 3 floors, but the biggest is at the bottom |
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| Gori Somnath temple |
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| The Nandi (Shiva's steed) outside Gori Somnath temple |
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| Kedareshwar temple: The board states that the original temple was constructed by Paramar rules in 13th century |
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| Kedareshwar temple. |
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| Rinamuktheshwar temple |
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| Rinamuktheshwar temple: Corn and pulses are offered to the deity here |
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| Rinamuktheshwar temple: Offerings of corn and other pulses tied to temple premises |
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| Boats waiting to cross the Narmada river. There are a couple of walking bridges across the river, |
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| Sidhnath temple |
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| Sidhnath temple |
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| Sidhnath temple: Many exquisite pieces of carving are sadly strewn across the temple premises. |
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| Sidhnath temple: Even though the temple is terribly damaged, prayers happen at the sanctum |
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| Sidhnath temple |
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| A massive statue of Adi Shankaracharyan is under construction. |
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| Dharmaraj Gate was originally built by Paramar rulers in 13 Century AD |
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| Dharmaraj Gate |
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| Across Narmada river is Mandata Island. |
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| Omkareshwar lies in the shadow of this massive dam across the Narmada river |
Other Blogs in the same series.
Click blue text below for link to the following blogs
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