Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Thursday morning laid the foundation stone of a grand Panchayatan Temple at Ekatma Dham in the holy pilgrimage town of Omkareshwar. Along with revered saints representing India’s divine monastic tradition, saints of Shaddarshan Sant Mandal and distinguished guests, CM Dr. Yadav worshipped 45 sacred stones and formally commenced the temple construction. Vedic rituals were performed by K.S.S. Avadhani, Principal of Sri Venkateswara Veda Vignana Peetham, Dharmagiri, Andhra Pradesh, and Acharyas of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Karnataka, and Sri Sri Gurukul.
CM Dr. Yadav said Ekatma Dham would not merely be a religious site but a centre of India’s Sanatan knowledge tradition, spiritual consciousness and cultural unity. Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya had re-established Panchayatan worship to create harmony among different forms of worship. The Panchayatan Temple would carry this great tradition forward.
He said people may not have seen God directly, but through the blessings of saints, the name and realisation of Supreme Being become manifest in their lives. With blessings of revered saints, a divine dham is taking shape in Omkareshwar that would inspire future generations towards Indian culture, spirituality and character building.
World Recognising India’s Glory and Strength under PM Shri Modi’s Leadership
CM Dr. Yadav said the world is recognising India’s glory and strength under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The state government, under Shri Modi’s guidance, is fully committed to developing religious and spiritual sites in Madhya Pradesh and connecting them with world-class facilities.
He said the government is carrying forward the work on Ekatma Dham and temple construction initiated by former Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He said that several contradictions and demonic forces exist in society and create obstacles in different ways. With the grace of Adi Guru Shankaracharya and Maa Narmada, all such forces would be defeated.
CM Dr. Yadav said every resolve of a person is fulfilled through the blessings of saints. He attended the Panchayatan Temple foundation ceremony with his wife, Shrimati Seema Yadav.
Ekatma Dham Taking Divine Form on Mandhata Mountain
CM Dr. Yadav said Ekatma Dham, being developed on Mandhata Mountain, would present an extraordinarily divine and magnificent sight in the coming years. He said everyone was a witness to the divine play of Supreme Being and merely a traveller on this journey. It was a matter of good fortune to have an opportunity to play a role in building such a divine dham.
He said the site would become an important centre for awakening inner consciousness and attaining spiritual peace. Spiritual structures being developed at Ekatma Dham would strengthen the spirit of harmony, goodwill, values and character building in society.
Omkareshwar and Ujjain to Emerge as Centres of Spiritual Inspiration
CM Dr. Yadav said a grand Ekatma Yatra would be taken out before Simhastha-2028 and would culminate during Singhastha. The yatra would carry the message of India’s knowledge tradition, saint tradition and Ekatma philosophy across the country and the world.
He said Omkareshwar and Ujjain are both emerging as centres of inner consciousness. These places would develop into unparalleled spiritual centres for not only Madhya Pradesh but India and the world.
The Panchayatan Temple, he said, would also serve as an important example of the revival of India’s ancient architecture and sculpture. The fundamental message of Panchayatan worship was that the same Supreme Brahman was worshipped through different divine forms, reflecting the unifying vision of Indian culture.
Worship of Five Deities in Panchayatan Temple
The temple, based on the ancient Panchayatan style, will have the main shrine of Lord Shiva at its centre. Subsidiary shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Surya, Lord Ganesha and Bhagwati Shakti will be located at the four corners.
The main shrine will feature a shikhara in Somatilak style, while the sanctum sanctorum will be built in Sarvatobhadra style. The temple will have entrances from all four directions. The complex will include 100 artistically carved pillars and eight miniature samvaranas. Its main mandap will have a massive artistic dome measuring 26 feet in diameter.
The temple will be constructed on a 16-foot-high foundation platform, or Jagati, and will be adorned with 121 kalashas. Around 80,000 cubic feet of carved pink sandstone will be used in its construction.
A Living Example of Ancient Nagar Architecture
The Panchayatan Temple is being constructed in the traditional Nagar style of architecture. Its external architectural design will feature a combination of bhadra, karna, prtiratha, devakoshtha and ornamental panels. Grand toran gateways will further enhance the temple’s architectural beauty.
A large number of saints, local public representatives, administrative officers and devotees were present on the occasion.
