Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple, Kashi

Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple is described as one of the finest shivalingas by Lord Shiva himself in the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana. Kashi as one of the most holiest of all the kshetras on this Earth, has got crores of shivalingas. Many lifetimes are not sufficient to realize the greatness of Kashi. The great sages like Agastya, Skanda, etc are still feeling incomplete after glorifying Kashi with all their intellectual. Out of these many shivalingas, few shivalingas are considered very important although there is no absolute difference in shivalingas in Kashi.

Located to the north of the Macchodari area in Kashi, there were five lingas originally i.e., Omkareshwar, Akaareshwar, Makaareshwar, Naadeshwar & Bindu Linga. However 0nly three of them exist now. Naadeshwar and Bindu Lingas have been lost over time.

The five lingas together represent the pranavakara i.e., ॐ. They are called as Shiva Panchayatan.  Macchodari area refers to the Matsyodari Tirtha mentioned in the Skanda Purana. This tirtha has dried up now. Lord Shiva says that one should take a holy bath in the Matsyodari Tirtha and have the darshan of his Omkareshwar Linga in the Omkareshwara Mahadev Temple.

Devotees now use the waters of the sacred Ganga for the worship of Lord Omkareshwar as the Ganga River used to join the Matsyodari Tirtha during the rainy season. Just like the Krittivaseshwar Mahadev Temple, the Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple remains in a state of neglect even though it is one of the 14 most important Shivalingas of Kashi as per the declaration of Lord Shiva to Parvathi Devi and one of the Pancha Shiva Lingas mentioned in the Kurma Purana, other four lingas being Sri Vishwanatha Linga, Krittivaseshwara Linga, Madhyameshwara Linga and Kapardeeshwara Linga.

Efforts have been put in the recent times towards the revival of these temples by the Yogi Adityanath Government in Uttar Pradesh.

The History of Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple

In the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva narrates the establishment of the Omkareshwar Linga to his consort Parvathi Devi as follows:

Once upon a time, Lord Brahma was engaged in deep meditation or tapasya. When 1000 yugas passed by, a very brilliant radiance sprung up on all the sides piercing through the seven nether worlds. Lord Brahma came out of his meditation upon hearing the cracking and splitting sound from the ground. In that light he saw all the three main components of the Omkara Pranava i.e., a, u and m manifest before his eyes. Along with them, he saw the nada (shabda brahman) and bindu (the absolute cause of the universe).

‘A’ represented the sattva-guna being the cause of the Rigveda. ‘U’ represented the rajo-guna being the cause of the Yajurveda. And lastly, ‘m’ represented the tamo-guna being the cause of the Samaveda. Nada represented the Shabda Brahman while bindu represented the cause of all causes.

Lord Shiva says that it is known as OM because it protects the devotee and uplifts him by its power. It is formless and yet with a form. It is known as Taraka as it redeems a devotee who is meditating on it. OM is glorified as the Pranava as it is glorified by devotees desiring liberation.

All the Vedas were created from it. After observing Lord Shiva in the form of a Shivalinga and the five manifested components of ‘aum’, Lord Brahma glorified Lord Shiva as being distinct from the material world. Lord Brahma glorified Lord Shiva’s qualities and his manifestation in the form of a linga representing ‘omkara’.

With great joy, Lord Shiva came out of the linga and stood before Lord Brahma. The four-faced Lord Brahma requested Lord Shiva that he stay in this linga form in Kashi for the benefit of all devotees. Lord Brahma also requested that the linga be thereafter known as Omkareshwar. In a joyous state, Lord Shiva readily agreed to remain in Kashi as the Omkareshwar Linga.

Lord Shiva says that these lingas are named Akara, Ukara, Makara, Nada and Bindu. He further says that one who takes a holy bath in the Matsyodari Tirtha and has darshan of Lord Omkareshwar never takes birth again.

The Festivals of Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple

As every other Shiva temple, the festival of Maha-Shivaratri is celebrated at the Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple. The monthly Shivaratri is observed by the devotees.

The month of Vaishakha (April) is very important for devotees. The annual Shringar festival is performed during this month on the Chaturdashi day i.e., 14^th day.

The Temple Timings of Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple

Apart from housing the Omkareshwar Linga, the temple houses the Deity of Parvathi Devi too. Her Deity was installed in the temple in the year 2010 by a devotee.

The temple is open for darshan at the following times:

Morning: 05.00 AM to 11.00 AM

Evening:. 05.00 PM to 09.00 PM

You can consult the temple pujari to perform any special pujas.

How to reach Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple?

Located at A-33/23, north of Macchodari in Pathani Tola, the Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple once seized the attention of Kashi. Today it stands on a high mound opposite the Jalalipura mosque in Kashi. Macchodari used to be the once famous Matsyodari Tirtha which dried up with time.

The other two lingas which are part of the Omkareshwar Linga are present nearby. Akaareshwar (representing Akaar) is located at A-33/47 and Makaareshwar (representing Makaar) is located at A-33/25. The remaining two lingas of Naadeshwar and Bindu are lost.

Lord Omkareshwar assures all blessings for his devotees when they come to his darshan. Visit the temple after reaching Kashi and obtaining the divine permissions from the respective authorities. Tirtha Yatra makes these visits an effortless task on their Kashi Yatra.

You can always use the following means to reach Kashi:

By Road: Kashi is well connected by road to major cities in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, etc. You can travel in a private vehicle from other cities or hire a taxi. Luxury buses and normal buses are available from Lucknow frequently.

By Rail: Kashi is very well connected to major cities and towns in India via the five railway stations i.e., Kashi Railway Station, Varanasi Junction (also called Varanasi Cantt), Varanasi City, Banaras Railway Station and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Tickets can be reserved up-to any one of these five stations.

By Air: Kashi is accessible by air through the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport at Babatpur near Kashi. Domestic and International flights are available from and to the airport. From there, you can take a prepaid taxi to reach the city center.

Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple: Earth’s Supreme Linga

Devotion will take you places. But one trip to the Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple is said to be very powerful and a life-changing trip. Lord Shiva says that having the darshan of his Omkareshwar Linga is equal to seeing all his Shivalingas on earth. Just a glance is enough!

The ancestors of a devotee who takes his steps towards the Omkareshwar Linga rejoice and dance joyously on seeing him. If Lord Omkareshwar is very merciful even if one doesn’t have any merit, what can be said of the steadfast devotee. Visit Lord Omkareshwar with a sincere heart and see the effect for yourself. OM will never be a mundane sound anymore!

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