“Men create gods in their own image.”
Xenophanes
Mandhata Parikrama Part-3, Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, India
Energised and invigorated, I left Saroj Tea Stall to continue the Parikrama. From here, it is an uphill climb across Aum Parvat (hill) to our next set of destinations, the 11th century Gauri SomnathTemple and Patali (underground) Hanuman Temple.
Gauri Somnath Temple
After Omkareshwar, Gauri Somnath is the most important temple in Godarpura – another name for Mandhata island. Constructed by the Paramaras, this Pancharatha style temple is three-storeyed. The star-shaped Nagara architecture edifice is on a raised platform. On it, sits the sacred Nandi bull.
The ground floor houses a six-feet Lingam like the one in Somnath Temple, Gujarat. You climb the narrowest of spiral staircases to reach the first and second floor of the temple. Goddess Gauri with Shiva along with the idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Hanuman are on the first floor. The second floor has the Kedareshwar Lingam.
As per the Puranas, the white core of the Somnath Lingam gives the temple its name – ‘Gauri Somnath’ as Gauri means white. Today, this Lingam is black. Two myths prevail around the Lingam. One, only a true pair of uncle and nephew can embrace it. Second, that the shiny surface of the Lingam reflects your next birth.
There is a story behind the white lingam turning black. On his destructive spree across India, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb saw his next birth to be a pig and tried to bring the temple down. When he couldn’t, he burnt the temple. Its ruins are strewn around, though a nearby museum houses a few.
Exterior of Patali Hanuman Temple 
Lete (reclining) or Patali (underground) Hanuman idol
Patali Hanuman Temple
Across the Gauri SomnathTemple is another site of significance. Also called the Lete (pronounced lay-tay, meaning reclining) Hanuman Temple. Hanumanis the prime devotee of Rama and Sita and an important protagonist in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Only at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and here one can see him in a reclining position. Typically, you will spot many monkeys here.
Sri Raj Rajeshwari Seva Sansthan (Charitable Trust) Temple
Further ahead, I reach this newer temple with a row of goddesses on the external wall. I learnt these are forms of Goddess Raj Rajeshwari. Within, a 90-feet Shiva statue dominates the skyline. Opposite this, is the temple of Ram and Sita. A remarkable feature in this temple is the Panchamukhi (Five-faced) Hanuman, a rarity.
Idol of Panchmukhi (5-faced) Hanuman in a small temple across Sri Raj Rajeshwari Temple 
Idols of goddesses on the exterior wall of Sri Raj Rajeshwari Temple
3 more kilometres and half-way along the circumambulation route, a good place to take a break. But I was too excited! Another remarkable architectural heritage beckoned me.
