Grand closing of Sawan Monday: Amazing view of Shiva devotion in Omkareshwar and Kundeshwar
Last Monday’s Mahadev: A Sea of Faith in Madhya Pradesh-This year’s final Monday of Sawan witnessed a spectacular outpouring of devotion at Madhya Pradesh’s Shiva temples. The atmosphere crackled with faith and fervor as devotees thronged the temples from dawn onwards, bearing offerings of water, belpatra leaves, and milk for Lord Shiva.
A Rush to the Divine: Datia and Tikamgarh-The scenes at Datia’s Vanakhandeshwar Mahadev and Tikamgarh’s Kundeshwar Dham were truly awe-inspiring. A seemingly endless stream of devotees made their way to these ancient shrines, believed to have been established by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era. Legend holds that offering water at these lingams fulfills all desires, a belief that deeply resonates with the faithful.
Kundeshwar Dham: A Unique Lingam and Mystical Tales-Kundeshwar Dham in Tikamgarh holds a special significance for Shiva devotees. The Shiva lingam here is said to grow by the size of a grain of rice each year, a remarkable phenomenon that strengthens the faith of believers. Excavations in 1938 unearthed seven water reservoirs, though the current water reservoir remains inaccessible due to the lingam’s size. Local lore speaks of nocturnal visits by enlightened saints who perform pujas, leaving the lingam adorned with water each morning – adding an air of mystery to the site.
The Grand Procession: Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar-The final Sawan Monday in Omkareshwar was a truly grand affair. The highlight was the majestic procession of Lord Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga in a silver palanquin. Starting at 4 AM, the day unfolded with temple doors opening for darshan, followed by the palanquin’s puja and aarti. The procession then wound its way through the city, accompanied by a joyous throng chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ amidst a shower of rose petals and a mahaabhishek ceremony.
A Journey on Water and Through the City-A particularly captivating moment came when the palanquin took a boat ride on the Narmada River. The procession continued to Gomukh Ghat, the old wrestling arena, and other sacred sites before concluding at the Mamleshwar temple around 5:30 PM, where 56 types of sweets were offered as bhog. The journey continued through the main market, JP Chowk, and Shivpuri Road, finally returning to the temple at 11:30 PM for the Shayan Aarti.
Faith, Order, and Service-The event was a testament not only to religious faith but also to social discipline and community spirit. Numerous service stalls were set up across the city offering simple meals, sweets, and water. Traffic restrictions were implemented to manage the massive crowd, with police and volunteers ensuring the safety and smooth darshan for all devotees.
