GODARPURA

also called Mandhata, or Omkarji pilgrimage centre, western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. It lies along the Narmada River southeast of Indore. Godarpura has noted Saivite, Vaisnavite, and Jaina temples, mostly of the 14th and 18th centuries. The Omkar temple, on an island in the river, contains one of the 12 great Siva (Shiva) phallic symbols, or lingas; another linga stands outside the Gauri Somnath temple. The temples on the island are Saivite, but there are Vaisnavite and Jaina temples on the north bank, and on the south stands one of Godarpura's Brahma temples. The raja's palace stands on a terraced hillside of the island. Godarpura's annual fair was, until 1824, the scene of the self-immolation of religious devotees, who threw themselves from the high cliffs into the river.