”Om Narmadaha” flanks the path climbing up the steep hillside of Omkarishwar to a famous temple. ”Om Narmadaha” is the call of those walking their pilgrimage on the Narmada River. For those who have walked the Camino, it is something like their, “Buen Camino” and “Ultrea” wrapped into one. “We wish you well on your encounters with the Holy Narmada.” (2 Mar 2015)
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Looking like a post or a tall narrow pot sticking up on the top of the hill in the middle of the last picture, a huge Krishna stands high above his temple. (3 Mar 2015)
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Here’s another view Omkarishwar as we saw it walking the banks of Narmada River one day. Notice the dam at the right of the city on the river. The next picture shows just how much it dominates the village. (12 Mar 2015)
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One of the several dams along the Narmada River to control its flow and its floods dominates and defines the eastern end of town. An amusing statue stands on top of a building three dam sections right of the tower. It’s in the next picture. (9 Mar 2015)
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This curious statue stands on top of one of the buildings in Omkarishwar. It seems not to have anything to do with the religious background of the town. But then a snake is winding up the horse’s leg and staring him in the face. Is it another incarnation of Krishna or Shiva? (9 Mar 2015)
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At first glance, this Omkarishwar building looks like it sits in front of and is reflected by a lake. (10 Mar 2015)
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A view of Omkarishwar from the walk bridge in the evening sun clearly shows the building in the previous picture high on the hillside with no lake in front of it. (16 Mar 2015)
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The delightful, two-story-high side door of the building two pictures back. (13 Mar 2015)
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The state of Madya Pardesh runs a reasonable and clean tourist hotel where we stayed most of our three weeks in Omkarishwar. You can even see the neighborhood and me in the windows of this modern place. (16 Mar 2015)
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India’s travel industry calls India, “Incredible !ndia.” Madya Pardesh, the state more or less in the middle of India, calls itself, “The heart of Incredible !india.” The state-run hotel puts its logo on its hotel china and on its garbage cans in addition to its flags and several other things. (13-16 Mar 2015)
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Indians are always curious about foreigners. This group of school girls out for a day in the holy city of Omkarishwar took a few minutes after their lunch to surround and question us. (4 Mar 2015)
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As in all of India, flowers are everywhere in Omkarishwar. (11 Mar 2015)
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Also as in all of India, monkeys flourish here. (8 Mar 2015)
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Donkeys in Omkarishwar and on its island do the work that small vehicles are not allowed to do because they are banned from the island. (9 Mar 2015)
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The goddess Narmada along with other goddesses and Ganesha in a small temple on the island (11 Mar 2015)
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The god of death. (11 Mar 2015)
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The Narmada flowing downstream, to the west. (11 Mar 2015)
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A goat stands near Petra and other pilgrims on the confluence of the Narmada River at the downstream end of Omkarishwar Island. Traditionally pilgrims come here for a ritual bathing. (11 Mar 2015)
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The goddess Narmada sits in a small shrine at the confluence of the Narmada River at the downstream end of Omkarishwar Island. (16 Mar 2015)
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The sunsets over the Narmada River flowing away to the west. Tomorrow pilgrims will be heading the same way as they continue (or begin) their Narmada Parikrama pilgrimage. (16 Mar 2015)
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