'Mandhata' was the ancient name of which pilgrimage centre?
- (a)Kamadgiri
- (b)Onkareshwar
- (c)Amarkantak
- (d)Maheshwar
Correct — B, Onkareshwar (Omkareshwar). The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple stands on an island in the Narmada river, in Khandwa district of MP; the island itself is traditionally called Mandhata (or Mandhata Parvat) after King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who is said to have performed penance there and been blessed by Shiva. The island's outline is also said to resemble the 'Om' symbol — the source of the name Omkareshwar.
- (a)Kamadgiri — Wrong — Kamadgiri (near Chitrakoot) is a hill worshipped as a form of Lord Rama, not linked to the Mandhata legend.
- (c)Amarkantak — Wrong — Amarkantak, in Anuppur district, is revered as the source of the Narmada (and Son) river, but has no 'Mandhata' association.
- (d)Maheshwar — Wrong — Maheshwar, on the Narmada in Khargone district, is known for Ahilyabai Holkar's fort and its historical identity as ancient Mahishmati — a different ancient name, not Mandhata.
Omkareshwar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva, situated on an island in the Narmada. The island's older name, Mandhata, comes from a legendary king of the solar (Ikshvaku) dynasty said to have attained Shiva's grace here through penance — so the same pilgrimage site carries two names: one geographic/mythic (Omkareshwar, from the Om-shaped island) and one dynastic (Mandhata, from the king).
MPPSC likes to test the 'ancient/alternate name' angle for MP's Narmada pilgrimage towns — Maheshwar's ancient name Mahishmati is the classic sister-fact, which is why it appears as a tempting option here.
- Omkareshwar sits on Mandhata island in the Narmada river, Khandwa district, MP
- One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva
- Named 'Mandhata' after King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty
- Maheshwar, a different Narmada pilgrimage town, was anciently called Mahishmati
- Confusing Mandhata (Omkareshwar) with Mahishmati (Maheshwar) — both are ancient names of Narmada towns but for different places
- Assuming Amarkantak (the river's source) is the same site as Omkareshwar (a Jyotirlinga downstream)
MPPSC and UPSC both like 'ancient name of place X' questions on MP's Narmada towns — anchor each name to its river town precisely.
With which one of the following rivers is the Omkareshwar Project associated?
- (a) Chambal
- (b) Narmada
- (c) Tapi
- (d) Bhima
Answer(b) Narmada — the river the Omkareshwar dam/temple site (Mandhata island) is located on.
Same landmark, Omkareshwar, tested directly for its river location (Narmada) in a UPSC 2008 question.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Omkareshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, is situated on the banks of which river?
- (a)Narmada
- (b)Tapi
- (c)Chambal
- (d)Betwa
Answer(a) Narmada — the Omkareshwar temple stands on Mandhata island in the Narmada.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which ancient Narmada-side town of Madhya Pradesh was historically known as Mahishmati?
- (a)Omkareshwar
- (b)Maheshwar
- (c)Amarkantak
- (d)Mandsaur
Answer(b) Maheshwar — ancient Mahishmati, later the capital of Ahilyabai Holkar.