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Omkareshwar is the fourth Linga among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is present on the banks of the Narmada River on Mandhata Island in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. Mandhata Island is also known as Shivpuri Island and this entire island exists in the shape of Aum. Narmada River has a very important place in the Hindu religion, and she is worshipped as Mother Narmada Devi. Here Lord Shiva is seated on both the banks of Mother Narmada. There is a detailed description of the glory of Shri Omkareshwar Tirtha in Hindu religious texts.
According to beliefs, even after visiting all the pilgrimages, unless water is offered to Shri Omkareshwar, one does not get the full results of those pilgrimages. Here the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is divided into two parts, which are known as Omkareshwar and Amaleshwara. Devotees of Lord Shiva believe that Lord Bholenath and Mother Parvati sleep in Shri Omkareshwar Tirtha at night and play Chausar (backgammon) only. Therefore, backgammon is laid out in the temple at night and is found in disarray in the morning. Many devotees come to this temple especially to see Lord Shiva sleeping. The greatness of Shri Omkareshwar ji is described in various religious texts including Shiv Purana, Vayu Purana and Skanda Purana.
Shri Omkareshwar ji is also known as Omkareshwara and Aunkareshwara.
After listening to the story of Shri Mahakala Jyotirlinga by Suta ji, the sages requested Sut ji to narrate the story of the appearance of the great Jyotirlinga of God situated in Omkar Tirtha.
Suta ji said to the sages, O sages! Listen carefully to the description of the origin of the Jyotirlinga located in Shri Aunkareshwara Tirtha. After some time, Devarshi Narada arrived at Vindhya Mountain. Vindhya Mountain is also known as Vindhyachal Mountain. After seeing Devarshi Narada, Vindhya Mountain welcomed him with various types of rituals. This arrogance had taken birth in Vindhya's mind that there is no dearth of any kind of thing here. Narad ji felt the arrogance of Vindhya and he took a deep breath and stood silently. On this Vindhya asked Shri Narada Muni, O best of sages! You felt some kind of mistake or lack in my hospitality, which is why you seem so worried.
Breaking his silence on asking Vindhya's question, Narada ji said, Giriraj Vindhya! Neither has there been any mistake in your honoring me nor is there any lack of anything in your place, but despite this, Mount Meru is greater and higher than you, whose peak has reached the Devaloka. Saying this, Devarshi Narad departed from Vindhya Mountain, but the words coming from the mouth of Devarshi were piercing the heart of Vindhya, he started reproaching himself in his mind and decided to do penance of Lord Shiva Shambhu to attain the highest place in the universe.
Vindhya Mountain, at the same place where the figure of Omkar is situated, he built the mortal Shivalinga of Lord Shiva, worshiped it continuously for six months and performed rigorous penance at one place, as a result of which Bholenath became happy and went to Vindhya Mountain. Lord Shiva was blessing Vindhya Mountain by appearing in his supernatural form. Darshana of this supernatural form of Mahadev Shiva Shankar is very rare even for great sages and Yogis. Vindhya mountain became blessed after getting the personal Darshana of Lord Shiva. Bholnath happily asked him to ask for a boon. Vindhya Mountain asked for the boon of desired intelligence from Kailashpati Shiva, as a result of which Lord Shiva granted Vindhya the boon of being successful in any work as per his wish. Thereafter, various gods and sages arrive at the same place, and they all start requesting and praying Lord Shiva to reside on Vindhya Mountain.
Pleased with the prayers of the deities and sages, Lord Shiva decided to settle at the same place and immediately the Omkar Jyotirlinga situated there got divided into two parts, one part of which was established as Omkareshwar and the other part got lit in the Parthiva Shivlinga. Which became famous in the whole world as Parmeshwara or Amaleshwara Jyotirlinga.
These two Omkareshwar and Parmeshwar Jyotirlinga are going to fulfill all the wishes. All the gods and sages present there worshiped both the Jyotirlingas with full rituals and by pleasing the ghostly Lord Bholenath, received many types of boons. After the worship was over, all the gods returned to their respective worlds and Vindhya Mountain also became happy, free from all kinds of hatred, conflict and mental anguish. In this way, the one who worships Lord Shiva with full devotion becomes free from the cycle of birth and death and attains the supreme state.
॥Iti Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Utpatti Katha Sampurna॥
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