Dwadasha (12) Jyotirlinga Temple at Omkara Ashrama is a Religious and Spiritual place on the Omkar Hills.It is renowned as one of the highest and beautiful spots in Bangalore. The avowed objective of the ashrama is to propagate universal brotherhood as per the Advaitic vision of universal oneness as preached by the Vedic Rishis.
The Ashrama campus has several temples namely, Sri Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Temple, Sri Matsya Narayana Temple, Sri Nagadevata Temple, Sri Vana Durga Temple, Sri Ganapathi Temple and Sri Munishwara Temple.It has a giant tower clock which is said to be one of the biggest clocks in the world. Apart from the temples, the ashrama campus houses a Vishwamitra Veda Vidyalaya and a Goshala.Regularly the Sri Chakra Puja (Navavarana Puja) is performed by the head of the institution.
In Sri Dwadasha Jyotirlinga temple, the 12 representative Jyotirlingas of the original Puranik twelve Jyotirlingas, which are in different parts of our country are in one temple each with an individual Garbhagriha and Vimanagopuram. The Dwadasha Jyotirlingas are very sacred and auspicious and are different from the ordinary shiva lingams. As per the Shastras, the darshanam of even a single Jyotirlinga is enough to lead one to moksha or salvation. In Sanskrit, ‘Jyoti’ means light. So a Jyotirlinga is a shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam or “Lingam of light.” Puranas say that Lord Shiva first manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga on the night of the Arudra Nakshatra and thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga. The names and the locations of the 12 Jyotirlingas are mentioned in the Shiva Purana.
This Dwadasha Jyotirlinga temple which is in the Omkar ashram is an abode of temples namely, the Sri Matsya Narayana temple, Sri Vanadurga temple, Sri Nagadevatha temple, Sri Muneeshwara temple.It also houses a Goshala, the Vishwamitra Veda Vidyalaya, Sacred Banyan tree, Religious harmony memorial, a giant tower clock and a monastery.A pilgrimage to this Dwadasha Jyotirlinga theertha kshetra, receiving the darshan of all the temples and seeking the blessings of the sanyasins will remove all the nava graha doshas (defects of the nine astrological planets) which are the source of all miseries and thus gives one abundant joy, health, wealth and peace.
This temple was founded by Brahmaleena Sadguru Sri Shivapuri Mahaswamiji with the intention of providing an opportunity to each and every devotee the ‘Jyotirlinga’ darshana, which otherwise requires the best of health, wealth and time as the original Jyotirlinga temples are in different parts of India. It also serves the purpose of promoting awareness, significance and uniqueness of these twelve Jyotirlingas to the younger generation.
The construction of this temple was started in 2002 by Sri Shivapuri Mahaswamiji, and it continued for many years. However, before he could complete this divine task, he attained Samadhi, (left his mortal coil) in 2007. Later his Sannyasin disciple, Sri Madhusudhanananda Puri Swamiji became his successor, (The Peetadhipathi of Omkara Ashrama Mahasamsthana) and continued the work associated with the temple.
The Pranaprathishta (consecration) of the 12 Jyotirlingas and Mahakumbhabhishekam of the Temple was done by Sri Swami Madhusudhanananda Puri on the Auspicious day of Wednesday, 16th February 2011, in the divine presence of many Saints, Holy men, purohits and others, with elaborate rituals, Japas, Homams and Poojas.
The Vimana Gopurams of Srisaila Mallikarjuna and Sri Rameshwara Jyotirlingas which are in South India, are in the South Indian style and the Vimana Gopurams of the remaining Ten Jyotirlingas which are in North India, are in the North Indian Style. Hence, this temple is built in harmony of two great styles of India. The height of the Vimana Gopuram of the main Jyotirlinga, Sri Omkareshwara, is approximately 108 feet from ground level and is the biggest among all the Vimana Gopurams.
All the 12 Jyotirlingas are Narmadeshwara Lingas (also known as Baana Lingas) are made from the Stones of the River Narmada, which is considered very sacred for a Shivalinga. Beneath each and every Jyotirlinga, 1008 Small Narmadeshwara Lingas measuring around an inch are placed, but below Sri Omkareshwara linga, 2008 Small Narmada Lingas are placed. So in total the temple consists of visible 12 main Jyotirlingas and around 13000 (thirteen thousand) invisible Narmadeshwara Lingas.
The Sri Matsyanarayana Temple is unique and the only temple in Karnataka for Bhagavan Sri Matsyanarayana Swamy. Sri Matsyanarayana Temple faces the east and is located behind the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Temple at the Omkar Hills. Bhagavan Sri Matsyanarayana is the first Avatara among the Dashavataras (Ten Avataras) of Bhagavan MahaVishnu who, in the form of a fish strived to protect the creation from a great deluge.Through his grace generally one gains health, wealth, peace and prosperity and specially is cured of rare skin diseases and receives abundant grace.It is supposed, that in places where the Bhagavan Sri Matsyanarayana’s presence is established, all the ‘Vastu Doshas’ get nullified.
The Divine mother, Sri Vana Durga is the presiding deity and the Sthana-devata of the Omkara Hills. Vana Durga is one of the numerous forms of Goddess Durga. As the name indicates, she resides in the forests and the hills. The temples of Vana Durga are always open to the air. She is a living deity staying under the sacred banyan tree at the top of the Omkar Ashram hill. Time and again, many blessed devotees’ vivid experiences about the Mother testify her divine presence in Omkar Hills.
Mother Sri Vana Durga protects and blesses the Omkara Ashrama. She is fond of camphor. Any devotee in distress or difficulty can invoke her divine blessings by offering camphor with sincerity and faith. One who worships the Mother with devotion gains peace and prosperity through her bountiful benevolence and grace.
Sri Nagadevata temple in Omkara Hills has a unique male and female Nagadevata. To the right of the Nagadevata is a banyan tree and to left is a neem tree. Daily pujas are performed to the deity.
Omkar Hills also has small temples of Lord Sri Muneshwara and Lord Sri Maha Ganapathi. A massive bronze bell, weighing around 1200 kg, is one of the biggest and heaviest bells in the country and is placed in the Dwadahsa temple complex for temple use.
Religious Harmony
The message of all religions is to give than to receive; Universal Brotherhood and mutual respect are the core teachings of every religion. The Vedas proclaim “Ekam sat, vipra bahudha vadanthi – the truth is one; sages proclaim it differently”. All mystics speak the same truth but in different languages and different manners.
But, divisiveness is the oldest and the most persistent disease which has afflicted the human race through aeons of existence. Innumerable conflicts are raging everywhere because of factions within and between different groups.
Swamiji’s call is loud and clear – ‘God is one.Do not quarrel among yourselves but instead live like brothers and sisters’.
Sanathana Dharma with particular emphasis on the inherent unity of all religions, Swamiji has constructed a Sarva Dharma Samanvaya Mantapa.He has been organizing a number of functions at this place in order to inculcate in everyone the Vishwa bhratrutva – Universal Brotherhood. Leaders of various religious sects speak at this place. Bhajans are also organized here very frequently. Large numbers of devotees attend and partake the Blessings of Swamiji.
A magnificent Tower Clock, bigger than the reputed Big Ben of London, with provision to bring out Shankanada and Omkaranada along with the striking of each hourly gong, has been installed on the Hill.
Swamiji is known for his innovative initiatives in all walks of life. True to that, he planned and got his plan executed by installation of a unique Tower Clock.
At the commencement of every hour, the clock chimes the sound of conch (Shankanada) followed by “Om” five times. The Shankanada is meant to awaken the consciousness of everyone to the great truth which is revealed by the five Omkara that follow.
Swamiji correctly describes that the gong tells everyone that the time is passing away and each one should turn his attention to achieving his permanent goal without anymore delay. The following serves perhaps as the quintessence of the call given by this clock as well as by the revered Swamiji.
‘Watch your thoughts, they become words
Watch your words, they become actions
Watch your actions, they become habits
Watch your habits, they become your character
Watch your character, they become your destiny’
In Sanatana Dharma, the cow is considered equal to a mother and a goddess.The Cow is worshipped every Friday by most Hindus.Many festivals in temples and functions at houses are celebrated only after performing the ‘Go-pooja’. The holy status is conferred to the cow as it supports man in many ways.Cow’s milk and its products keep the young and the aged healthy and cater to most of their needs. The sacred ash made out of cow dung is given to the devotees in temples as Vibuthi and this prevents diseases like cold and severe headache. The urine and the cow dung are natural fertilizers for agricultural land.
Such a noble animal is sent to the slaughter house when it becomes less of a use due to its old age. In the slaughter houses, the sacred cows are killed in a barbaric and cruel manner for their flesh, skin and bones. It is a great sin, against the basic tenets of the Vedas and sacred scriptures of Hinduism.
In order to prevent this sinful act of killing the cows or sending the cows to the slaughter houses, Omkara Ashrama has started a goshala where young & aged cows get shelter and medical treatment.
Vishwamitra Veda Vidyalaya is formed with the gracious blessings of His Holiness, Sri Madhusudanananda Puri of Sri Omkara Ashrama, for the preservation and propagation of the existing shakhas of the Vedas.
The entire Vedic portions of the same, along with portions of Aagamas (rituals) are taught to the Vidyarthees of the Vidyalaya. In addition to this, the vidyartees are educated in Sanskrit and General Knowledge by well qualified Acharyas at the gurukul.
The Vidyalaya is providing free accommodation, Food, Clothing and study materials for the students during their entire course the duration of which is six years. The students are assessed every six months by both oral and written exams.
Founder
His Holiness SRI SRI SHIVAPURI MAHASWAMJI founded Omkara ashrama Mahasamsthana in 1992 on Omkar Hills.
Born on 30th Jan 1948, Swamiji was initiated into spiritual lessons as early as his childhood. After finishing his schooling, Swamiji joined Kailas Ashrama Mahasamsthana founded by Jagadguru Shivaratna Puri Mahaswamiji popularly known as the ‘Jagadguru Thiruchi Maha Swamiji’ in 1963. Swamiji was the most beloved disciple of the great Thiruchi Maha Swamiji who arranged for him to attain knowledge of various Shastras and Agamas from renowned Scholars and Pundits.
Another very significant achievement is the creation of six Jagadguru Peethas for some of the major sects and installation of a Jagadguru for each Matha, after due coronation. These Jagadgurus are working as a unifying force in their own way and thus the backward communities have found their own Spiritual Masters to guide them in worldly and Spiritual matters.
Sri Sri Swamiji left behind his body to attain Mukthi on July the twenty seventh in the year 2007.
Swami Madhusudhanananda Puri was born and brought up in South India and finished his Masters in Sanskrit. He took sanyasa from his Guru Parama poojya Sri Sri Sri Shiva Puri Mahaswamigal and studied Vedanta under Swami Dayananda Saraswathi.
He left his house at the tender age of sixteen to become a saint but unfortunately his parents found him within fifteen days and took him under their shelter again.It took another fourteen years for him to stray away from all the bondages of the worldly life to become a Sanyasi.
He lived with the Himalayan Saints and travelled on these mountains, both in India and Nepal.He Visited “Mount Kailash” and the holy lake of “Manasasarover” and attained in depth experience in meditation and yoga.
Well trained under his Guru, Parama Poojya Sri Sri Shiva Puri Mahaswamigal, he Served in Australia for a couple of years and travelled around the world. He is a Upasaka of Sri Vidya (Divine Mother Sri Rajarajeshwari Lalita Maha Tripurasundari). His guru never gives up his Sri Vidya pooja (Navavaruna pooja) and for the past 29 years, he has not missed even a single day of the pooja.
Darshan Timings :
Monday – Saturday
7:00 am – 12:30 pm
4:30 pm – 8:00pm
Sunday & Holidays
7:00am – 8:00pm
CONTACT DETAILS
Omkar Ashrama Maha Samasthana
Omkar Hills,
Shrinivasapura,
Bangalore – 560 060
Karnataka
INDIA
Mobile Phone Number: Ph No: +91 80 2861 2586
Telephone: Cell No: +91 9916682757, 9141920920, 9141930930
Telefax No: +91 80 2861 2586
Web Site : http://omkarhills.org/
Email: shivapuri@omkarhills.org
BMTC Bus : From Kengeri / Uttarahalli to Omkar Ashram Bus No: 375. 378 & 222B
Buses are also available from Banashankari to Kengeri
