Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in Madhya Pradesh State( Omkareshvar, Mamaleshwar temples and others) -6 at 4:06 AM

Holy Pilgrimage – Temples in Madhya Prades State

Bagh Caves, Madhya Pradesh

The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the southern slopes of the Vindhyas in Kukshi tehsil of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. These monuments are located at a distance of 97 km from Dhar town. These are renowned for mural paintings by master painters of ancient India. The use of the word "cave" is a bit of a misnomer, since these are not natural, but instead examples of Indian rock-cut architecture.
The Bagh Caves, like those at Ajanta, were excavated by master craftmen on perpendicular sandstone rock face of a hill on the far bank of a seasonal stream, the Baghani. Buddhist in inspiration, of the nine caves, only five have survived. All of them are 'viharas' or monasteries having quadrangular plan. A small chamber, usually at the back, forms the 'chaitya', the prayer hall. Most significant of these five extant caves is the Cave 4, commonly known as the Rang Mahal (Palace of Colors).

 The paintings

The paintings on the walls and ceilings of the viharas of Bagh, the fragments of which are still visible in Cave 3 and Cave 4 (remnants seen also in Caves 2, 5 and 7), were executed in tempera. The ground prepared was a reddish-brown gritty and thick mud plaster, laid out on the walls and ceilings. Over the plaster, lime-priming was done, on which these paintings were executed. Some of the most beautiful paintings were on the walls of the portico of Cave 4. To prevent further loss of the values of Indian classical art, most paintings were carefully removed in 1982 and today can be seen in Archaeological Museum of Gwalior.

 

Narwar Fort, Madhya Pradesh

 

Narwar is a town and a nagar panchayat in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Narwar is a historic town and the Narwar Fort is just east of the Kali Sindh River and is situated at a distance of 42 km from Shivpuri. Narwar was known as Narwar District during the times of Gwalior State. It is mentioned as Nalpura (Nala's town) in many medieval Sanskrit inscriptions. The Narwar Fort is famous for its architecture and is very ancient. The fort is surrounding by the Kali Sindh River. There are 3 dams namely as Harsi Dam ,Mohini Sagar and Atal Sagar. The narwar is a very good tourist place due to its surroundings by river Kali Sindh and archaeological importance of Narwar Fort. Presently the Fort is being renovated by the Archaeological Survey of India.
How to Reach : The nearest Airport Gwalior is 120 km and the Railway Stations are Gwalior, Dabra, Shivpuri and Jhansi. The Road Transport is about 120 KM from Gwalior, 70 km from Dabra, 42 km from Shivpuri. 

 

Chambal River, Madhya Pradesh

The Chambal River (Hindi-चम्बल) is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh state.
It is a legendary river and finds mention in ancient scriptures. The perennial Chambal originates at Manpura, south of Mhow town, near Indore, on the south slope of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh, while its tributary, the Banas, which rises in the Aravalli Range, drains southeastern Rajasthan. It ends a confluence of five rivers, including the Chambal, Kwari, Yamuna, Sind, Pahuj, at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar Pradesh state, at the border of Bhind and Etawah districts.
The Chambal River is considered pollution free,  and hosts an amazing riverine faunal assemblage including 2 species of crocodilians – the mugger and gharial, 8 species of freshwater turtles, smooth-coated otters, gangetic river dolphins, skimmers, black-bellied terns, sarus cranes and black-necked storks, amongst others.

Mythology

The ancient name of the Chambal was Charmanvati, meaning the river on whose banks leather is dried. In due course of time, this river became famous as the river of ‘chamda’ (skin) and was named as Charmanvati.
The epic Sanskrit narrative the Mahabharata, refers to the Chambal river as the Charmanyavati : originating from the blood of thousands of cows sacrificed by the Aryan King Rantideva.

"So large was the number of animals sacrificed in the Agnihotra of that king that the secretions flowing from his kitchen from the heaps of skins deposited there caused a veritable river which from this circumstance, came to be called the Charmanwati. "

Charmanwati was the southern boundary of Panchala Kingdom. King Drupada ruled the southern Panchalas up to the bank of the Charmanwati river (1:140).
In the Mahabharata, the Chambal area was a part of Shakuni’s kingdom. The infamous dice game whereby Shakuni won the kingdom of the Pandavas' for his nephew Duryodhana was played hereabouts. After the attempted disrobing of Draupadi (the daughter of Drupada) she cursed any one who would drink the water of the Charmanwati river.^[5] The legends of its curse by Draupadi and it's bloody ‘unholy’ origins due to King Drupada have helped the Chambal to survive unpolluted by man, and its many animal inhabitants to thrive relatively untouched. The Chambal remains one of India’s most pristine rivers

 

 

Omkareshwar,  Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar (Hindi: ओंकारेश्वर) is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada river; the shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu ॐ symbol. There are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar (whose name means "Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound") and one to Amareshwar (whose name means "Immortal lord" or "lord of the Immortals or Devas"). But as per the sloka on dwadash jyotirligam, Mamleshwar is the jyotirling, which is on other side of Narmada river.

Jyotirlinga

As per Shiv Mahapuran, once Brahma (the Hindu God of creation) and Vishnu (the Hindu God of Protection and Care) had an argument in terms of supremacy of creation.  To test them, Shiva pierced the three worlds as a huge endless pillar of light, the jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma split their ways to downwards and upwards respectively to find the end of the light in either directions. Brahma lied that he found out the end, while Vishnu conceded his defeat. Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would have no place in ceremonies while Vishnu would be worshipped till the end of eternity. The jyotirlinga is the supreme partless reality, out of which Shiva partly appears. The jyothirlinga shrines, thus are places where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.  Originally there were believed to be 64 jyothirlingas while 12 of them are considered to be very auspicious and holy.  Each of the twelve jyothirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity - each considered different manifestation of Shiva At all these sites, the primary image is lingam representing the beginningless and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the infinite nature of Shiva.^[4][5][6] The twelve jyothirlinga are Somnath in Gujarat, Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Kedarnath in Himalayas, Bhimashankar in Maharastra, Viswanath at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Triambakeshwar in Maharastra, Vaidyanath at Deogarh in Jharkand, Nageswar at Dwarka in Gujarat, Rameshwar at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and Grishneshwar at Aurangabad in Maharastra

Legends & history of Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga also has its own history and stories.Three of them are prominent. The first story is about Vindhya Parvat (Mount). Once upon a time Narada (son of Lord Brahma), known for his non-stop cosmic travel, visited Vindhya parvat. In his spicy way Narad told Vindhya Parvat about the greatness of Mount Meru. This made Vindhya jealous of Meru and he decided to be bigger than Meru. Vindhya started worship of Lord Shiva to become greater than Meru. Vindhya Parvat practiced severe penance and worshipped parthivlinga (A linga made from physical material) along with Lord Omkareshwar for nearly six months. As a result Lord Shiva was pleased and blessed him with his desired boon. On a request of all the gods and the sages Lord Shiva made two parts of the lingas. One half is called Omkareshwara and the other Mamaleshwar or Amareshwar. Lord Shiva gave the boon of growing, but took a promise that Vindhya will never be a problem to Shiva's devotees. Vindhya began to grow, but did not keep his promise. It even obstructed the sun and the moon. All deities approached sage Agastya for help. Agastya along with his wife came to Vindhya, and convinced him that he would not grow until the sage and his wife returned. They never returned and Vindhya is there as it was when they left. The sage and his wife stayed in Srisailam which is regarded as Dakshina Kashi and one of the Dwadash Jyotirlinga.
The second story relates to Mandhata and his son's penance. King Mandhata of Ishvaku clan (an ancestor of Lord Ram) worshipped Lord Shiva here till the Lord manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga. Some scholars also narrate the story about Mandhata's sons-Ambarish and Mucchkund, who had practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Lord Shiva. Because of this the mountain is named Mandhata.
The third story from Hindu scriptures says that once upon a time there was a great war between Devas and Danavas(demon), in which Danavas won. This was a major setback for Devas and hence Devas prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with their prayer, Lord Shiva emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated Danavas
Parikrama
Omkareswar kshetra parikrama is the very important thing to do in Omkareswar tour.The parikrama route Starts from Omkareswar temple and completes after surrounding the hill.Adi Shankaracharya did parikrama when he visited Omkareswar jyotirling.While doing parikrama, he met his Guru Sri Govindapada and learned Advaita from him.We can see that place at the end of parikrama.It is nearer to Omkareswar temple.

First of all we will reach Triveni sangamam.Here we can take holy bath.Just after Triveni sangamam there is a temple of Runa Mukteswar. In this temple people offer Red gram to lord Siva. After that the journey is through forest.It is very pleasent and nice to see in Winter season.After crossing this forest there is a temple of Bholenath.It is the mid point of parikrama. The Siva linga in this temple is very big and it is made of Narmada banam.After that we will reach Durga Goddess temple. By crossing Durga temple we will enter into a deep forest.In the forest there are many ancient monuments and temples which are under the control of Indian Archeological department.

In the way of Parkrama we can see so many Sadhus belonging to different traditions.If we are lucky we can see deers and peacocks in the route.The view of Narmada river is very beautiful with the bridges and the Project.

The last stop is the cave of Guru Govindapada.Totally we can get very much pleasure by doing this parikrama
Parthiva linga puja is very famous in Omkareshwar. In Mamaleshwar temple, daily pandits conduct puja with 1000 parthiva lingas. Every one can partcipate in that puja by paying minimum cost.
Some people say that Vindhya worshipped Lord siva with this Sahasra linga puja. That's why it is famous and important in Omkareshwar

Narmadabanam [also called as Narmadabana/ Narmadaban] is a stone formed in Narmada river. Because of water flow, the stones in Narmada river get the shape of siva linga. Their surface is very smmoth and shiny. These stones are very holy and are used to worship Lord siva.Narmadabanams are the most suitable stones to make siva lingas.

Location

It is situated in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh state in India. It is about 12 miles (20 km) from Mortakka in Madhya Pradesh.
Omkareshwar is formed by the sacred river Narmada. This is one of the most sacred of rivers in India and is now home to one of the world's biggest dam projects.

Transport

There are steamboats across the Narmada river and also two connecting bridges to reach the temple.
Air : The Airports close to Omkareshwar are at Indore (77 km) and Ujjain (133 km).
Rail : Nearest Railway Station is at Omkareshwar Road (12 km) on the Ratlam-Khandwa section of the Western Railway which is not a mainline. The other nearest railway station connected to Delhi and Mumbai is at Indore (77 km).
Road : Omkareshwar is connected to major towns and cities of Madhya Pradesh. There are regular bus services from Ujjain (133 km), Indore (77 km), Khandwa (61 km.) and Omkareshwar Road (12 km). By bus, it takes 2.5 hrs from Khandwa railway station to Omkareshwar.
While traveling from Khandwa to Omkareshwar, on the left side of road in the outskirts of Khandwa you can see the memorial to the celebrated singer, Kishore Kumar.

 Mamleshwar temple in Omkareshwar

 

Mamaleshwar is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. It is present on the opposite bank of Narmada river to Omkareshwar temple. Although Omkareshwar was famous temple, Mamaleshwar is the actual Jyotirling.

Kaverika narmadayah pavitre
Samagame sajjanataranaya /
Sadaivamandhatripure vasantam
Onkaramisham shivamekamide //

Mamaleshwar temple :

Mamaleshwar temple is a very old temple. After stepping down in Omkareshwar Bus stand, There is a straight road to Narmada river ghat. After taking a holy dip in Narmada river we have to climb some steps up to reach Mamaleshwar temple. The way is fully occupied by stalls selling Bilwa patras, flowers, and sweet packets used to offer to Lord Parameshwar.
Near temple you can see some Pandas, performing Pardhiva Shiva linga puja. They will do Sahasra linga puja, that is worshiping 1000 shiva lingas. This is famous in Omkareshwar. They plant 1000 shivalingas on a wooden board and perform puja.
Mamaleshwar temple is not a big one. There is a hall and a sanctum. Lord Shiva is present in the center of sanctum. We can touch Mamaleshwar jyotirling and do Abhishekam to Shiva by ourselves. Idol of Parvati mata is present on the backside of Shivaling in the wall. There are many small temples of Lord Shiva around main temple of Mamaleswar.

Sthala purana :

Once upon a time Narada maharshi visited Vindhya. In the discussion between them Vindhya told that, he was full pledged and there is nothing to be possessed for him. Narada observed the proud (Ahamkara) of Vindhya and said with a smile, yes you are full pledged, but Meru Parvatha is thinking that he is the supreme of all Parvathas (Hills), because devathas are living on the top of Meru and even Sun is rotating around its Sikharam every day. Vindhya felt guilty with these words and he decided to prove his greatness. He did tapsya for Lord Shiva for six months. Every day he did Parthiva Linga puja. He did tapsya with out moving. He stood like a stone (Sthanu). After six months Lord Shiva was pleased and gave Darshan to Vindhya. Then Vindhya was very happy and praised Lord Shiva, and got a chance to get boons from the Lord. Vindhya asked a boon that he should get energy and wisdom (Budhi) to fulfill his desires. Lord Shiva agreed for that and thought of Vindhya so that these boons may not be used to harm any body. At the same time Devathas, Maharshis came and praised the Lord and requested to stay in that place. Shiva accepted and stayed in that place as Mamaleshwar Jyotirling.

After getting boons from Mamaleshwar, Vindhya grew up enormously to prove his greatness. He crossed Meru parvatha's height and obstructed the path of Sun. Sun god became shocked for this and stopped. All the people in the south are in dark and facing never ending nights. North people are suffering with continuous day light and Sun heat. All Devathas went to Vaikuntha for a solution. Lord Vishnu told that Vindhya was a growing Sadhaka and no one can stop him except his Guru Agastya. In that time Agastya maharshi was living in Kasi along with his wife Lopamudra. Devathas went to Kasi and told the condition and requested him to stop his student (Vindhyachala). Agastya maharshi accepted that. He said to his wife, "we got a vighna for living in Kasi and we have to leave Kasi now". He worshiped Lord Viswanath and left Kasi with a sorrowful heart. He came to Vindhya Parvatha in the Akasa marga. By seeing his Guru Vindhya shrunken himself and invited Agastya. Then Agastya maharshi told that he was going towards south and Vindhya should stay like this, without growing, till he returns back. Vindhya followed his Gurus order and remained as it is. Then Agastya maharshi visit several places in South and built his Ashram in Srisailam.

Sadhana :

• Parthiva linga Puja is famous here
• Panchakshari mantra japa
• According to Shiva Purana living six months continuously in any Jyotirling kshetra with devotion will give lot of benefits

How to Reach Mamaleshwar:

Mamaleshwar Jyotirling is present in Madhyapradesh, Near Indore.

Nearest Bus stand: Mamaleshwar is well connected by Road route. There are many Buses starting from Indore. The Bus stand is about 2km distance from temple.
Nearest Railway station: Omkareshwar road is the nearest Railway station. It is at 15 km distance from Omkareshwar. We can travel from here through Buses.
Nearest Airport: Indore is the nearest Airport

 

Sun temple - Ujjain

Location:

Sun temple (Keshavark) at Ujjain is present in the campus of Kaliyadeh mahal (North most corner of city Ujjain).
 

Sthala purana:

In the olden days, king Arjuna learned Astra vidya from Indra. After that, Arjuna kílled Nivata Kavacha rakshasas as Guru dakshina. Indra was pleased very much. He asked Arjuna to take a boon from him. Arjuna asked the idols of Lord Sun from him. They are previously worshiped by Indra to get glory. Indra gave them.

Lord Sri Krishna knew this. He told Arjuna that those idols are very powerful and they should be consecrated(Done pratishta) in Ujjain. The idol placed by Sri Krishna is called as Keshavaraka (Keshavaditya) and the idol placed by Arjuna is called as Nararka (Nraditya).

Naraditya is present near Kal bhairav temple.

Renu teertha is present near Keshavarka.

Brahma kundam is also present in campus, which is the place where Lord Brahma did Yagna in the ancient days

 

Ujjain Mahakali

 

Ujjain Mahakali (Garh kali/Garh kalika - Local name) is one of the eighteen Shakti peethas.
The Oordhvoshtha (Upper lip) of Devi fell here.
She is the Shakti of Mahakala (Mahakaleshwar).

She is the Goddess worshiped by the great poet Kalidasa.

Ujjayinyam mahakali mahakaleshvareshvari /
Kshipratirasthita mata vanchitarthapradayini //

Location:

INDIA>MADHYA PRADESH>UJJAINI DISTRICT>UJJAINI CITY.
It is located in the Malwa platue on the "Tropic of cąncer".

Nearest Bus station: Ujjaini.
Nearest Railway station: Ujjaini.
Nearest Air port: Indore.

Northern corner of the city Ujjaini>Bhairav garh (Bherugarh)>Near the bank of the river (K)shipra>On a small hillock anciently called as Ratnachala/Bhairava parvata.

Temple:

In the temple, idol of Mahakali is placed in between the idols of Mahalakshmi and Saraswati.
The temple of Sthirman ganesh is beside the temple of Garhkali.
Hanumatkeshwar Shiva linga is near the temple of Garhkali.
Simheshwar Shiva linga is in the temple of Sthirman ganesh.
See the temple of Ujjain Mahakali in Google map

Sthala purana:

Mahakali is described as Rakta dantika/Chamunda in Skanda purana.

Demon Andhakasura, the ruler of Ujjaini in olden days, has a special power. In the battle field if his blood touches the earth, from each drop of blood a new Andhakasura will develop. Lord Shiva opposed Andhakasura pleased by the prayers of gods. Maha vinayaka (Sthirman ganesh) controlled the demon. Shiva pierced the chest of the demon with his Trishula. The blood produced numerous new Andhakasuras. With her Matrikas Mahakali appeared. All of them drank the blood. Mahakali drank all the blood and ate all the new Andhakasuras developed. Shiva lifted the demon in to the sky and burned him with the fire from his Third eye. Andhakasura accepted the defeat. prąyed the Lord. Shiva transformed him in to Bhringi and blessed him. The whole world became free of demons.

Sadhana:

Every year in the month of Ashviyja, Navaratri festival will be conducted in the temple.

1.Kama beejakshara japa.
2.Navakshara mantra japa.
3.Saptashati stotra pathana.

Ashadha Navaratri festival is useful to get the grace of Mahakali.

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )