The Significance of OMM(ॐ) Mantra

The most divine and powerful mantra in Hinduism is OMM which is a one-syllable mantra and a sacred sound. OMM mantra is chanted for concentration power for meditation. Omm is called mantra raj, it is chanted at the beginning of every mantra and then the rest of the mantra is chanted, be it any god or goddess.

Chanting the "Omkar" mantra provides many deep benefits physically, mentally and spiritually, which include reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, improving concentration and increasing emotional balance. The Omm sound is an elixir for our body.

Those who suffer from sleep problems, anxiety or depression, chanting the OMM mantra before going to sleep for a few days continuously helps in getting rid of problems like hypertension and depression.

Being a sacred sound, it resonates throughout the body Omkareshwar from Om, Omkareshwar means "Lord of Omm", this universe is created from OMM. And the owner of this creation is Lord Shiva, who is the Akashya, the Senses and the Supreme Brahma Parmeshwar.

We are talking about the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. It is the 12th Jyotirlinga which is in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. This is a very ancient temple, at this place there is a small river island called Mandhata or Shivpuri, on which Omkareshwar temple is built, it is believed that this temple is built in the shape of Devanagari letter "Omm". There is another temple near Omkareshwar temple, it is known as Mamleshwar.

This Jyotirlinga of Khandwa district is situated about 14 kilometers away from Mortakka village. It is situated on an island and the shape of this island is Omm and it is based on the banks of Narmada River which is a sacred and revered river in India.

It is said that Omkareshwar was formed by the Narmada River itself. You must be aware that natural Shivlinga is found in the Narmada River and it is very famous by the name Narmada Shivalinga.

The Significance of Narmada River

If I say anything about Narmada River, then what should I say, Narmada is as sacred and sacred as Ganga. Visiting Narmada River, bathing in Narmada, doing Parikrama of Narmada, all this is connected to the karma of your previous birth.

Only those who have good sanskar and who have good Jupiter can do all this, because in spiritual line and in all these things, they have faith and trust and its importance is known only to those who have faith in God. For other people, it is just a river like others.

Narmada river is also called the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh. This river supplies drinking water to the three states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Narmada means "The Giver of Joy." It is believed that visiting the Narmada and bathing in it provides the same benefits as bathing in the Yamuna for 15 days or the Ganga for 7 days.

The King Mandhata Worship Omkareshwar?

The king Mandhata was a very powerful Chakravarti king of the Ikshvaku dynasty, a descendant of Lord Rama of the Surya dynasty of ancient India, who ruled Ayodhya.

Mandhata was the son of King Yuvanashva, born due to a miraculous incident. He was born not from his mother's womb but from his father's womb. Very surprising! Right? This is another story will tell you later.

He conquered all the three worlds and even defeated Ravana and was famous for his generosity and devotion to religion. King Mandhata pleased Lord Shiva by doing severe penance on this mountain on the banks of Narmada. When Shiva appeared, he asked Shivaji for a boon to reside here.

Shivaji gave Mandhata Ashrivada and he transformed into the Shiva Linga established there by King Mandhata. When Shivaji himself enthroned the Linga, it became known as Jyotirlinga. This famous pilgrimage town came to be known as Omkar-Mandhata Island.

The Vindhya Parvat Worship Omkareshwar?

It is said that no matter how many pilgrimage sites a devotee visits, if he does not offer water from all his pilgrimages to the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, all his pilgrimages are considered incomplete.

It is said that, Vindhya Parvat went to Mandhata Island to perform severe penance to obtain a boon from the supreme power Lord Shiva and established a Shivalinga from clay and started worshipping it. After a few years, seeing this worship of Vindhya with utmost devotion and discipline, Lord Shiva was pleased and appeared to him in a form which is not visible even to ascetics and yogis.

Lord Shiva said, "Hey! Vindhya, I am pleased with your penance. You can ask for anything you wish. I fulfil the prayers of my true devotees." Vindhya replied with folded hands, "O Lord, what do I ask of you? You are the eternal and kind to your devotees. If you are pleased with me, please grant me these boons with the following:

1) May all my endeavors be successful, and

2) May you grant me wisdom that will enable me to achieve my goals."

Lord Shiva realized that if he granted him such a boon, he might misuse it. He nevertheless, as per his promise, granted him the boon and said, “Dear Vindhya, whatever you wish will happen.” After that, by this time, all the gods and sages had come to know that Lord Shiva was with Vindhya in Mandhata Island.

They all came to visit Shiva and requested him to reside there forever. Lord Shiva, who is always kind to his devotees, accepted their prayer. Jyotirlinga is the place where Shivaji had granted the boon to reside at that very place. It is said that when negativity in life becomes excessive, and a person is unable to leave behind the sins of previous births, then you should visit Jyotirlinga.

This is mentioned in many Puranas. That is why Lord Shiva is called "Akarma Karma Dayak (अकर्म कर्म दयाक)." This means that even if what you want is not in your destiny, the one who can give it to you is Lord Shiva.

Shiva merged into two Shivalinga. One form of Shiva, the Pranava or Omkar form, was wrapped around the clay Shivalinga and came to be known as the Omkareshwar Shivalinga.

The other form is called Sadashiva or Parameshwar and is enshrined in the Amareshwar or Mamleshwar temple located nearby on the banks of the Narmada River. It is believed that Lord Shiva's permanent residence nearby ensured that Vindhya did not use his powers for any evil purpose.

I say that whenever you get time, you must visit Omkareshwar Ji, whether you visit any Jyotirlinga, you will feel completely different and changes will definitely come in your life. ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय!

How to Reach Omkareshwar

By Air

The nearest major airport is Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport (IDR), Indore, located approximately 77 km from Omkareshwar Temple. From the airport, you can take a transit taxi or bus from Indore to Omkareshwar, which takes 2 to 3 hours.

By Train

The nearest major station is Khandwa Junction, about 75 to 77 km from the temple. It is the easiest to access for long-distance trains, with frequent bus and taxi connections.

The nearest local station is Omkareshwar Road (OM), a small station near Mortakka village, about 12 km from the temple, which handles most of the local passenger trains.

By Road

The approximately 80 km drive from Indore to the temple via MP State Highway 27 will take 2 to 3 hours. If you travel from Khandwa, it's only a 1.5 to 2.5 hour drive.

If you travel by bus, regular private and government buses are available from Indore, Ujjain, and Khandwa.