Previous Year Question

Pair 1—Srisailam : Nallamala Hills—is correct.

• Srisailam is situated in the northern part of the Nallamala hill range in the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh.

• The Nallamala Hills form part of the Eastern Ghats and extend mainly across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

• The Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Bhramaramba.

• Mallikarjuna is recognised as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The site is significant to both Shaiva and Shakta traditions.

• Srisailam is located near the Krishna River, which is locally revered as Patal Ganga in the religious tradition of the shrine.

Pair 2—Omkareshwar : Satmala Hills—is incorrect.

• Omkareshwar is situated on Mandhata Island, also called Omkar Parvat, in the Narmada River in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.

• The island lies near the confluence of the Narmada and the locally named Kaveri stream and is traditionally believed to resemble the sacred symbol ‘Om’.

• Omkareshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The main Omkareshwar shrine is situated on the island, while the Mamleshwar shrine lies on the southern bank of the Narmada.

• The Satmala or Satmala-Chandwad range is associated with Nashik and adjoining parts of Maharashtra. It is not the location of Omkareshwar.

Pair 3—Pushkar : Mahadeo Hills—is incorrect.

• Pushkar is a major pilgrimage town near Ajmer in Rajasthan and lies amidst the hills of the Aravalli range.

• Pushkar Lake is surrounded by hills and has 52 bathing ghats. The Brahma Temple is one of the town’s principal religious landmarks.

• Pilgrimage and ritual bathing at Pushkar Lake are particularly important during the Hindu month of Kartik.

• The Mahadeo Hills are associated with the Satpura highlands and the Pachmarhi region of Madhya Pradesh. They are not located at Pushkar.

• Pachmarhi, Dhoopgarh and the Mahadeo-Chauragarh area form important parts of the Satpura mountain system.