Consider the following pairs:
Contents19
Consider the following pairs:
| Place of Pilgrimage | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Srisailam | Nallamala Hills |
| 2. | Omkareshwar | Satmala Hills |
| 3. | Pushkar | Mahadeo Hills |
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
Pair 1 (Srisailam — Nallamala Hills): CORRECT.
Srisailam is a famous pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas) and Goddess Bhramaramba.
It is located on a flat hilltop in the Nallamala Hills in Andhra Pradesh, surrounded by the Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
Pair 2 (Omkareshwar — Satmala Hills): INCORRECT.
Omkareshwar is a sacred island in the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh, located near the Mandhata hills in the Vindhya Range, not the Satmala Hills.
The Satmala Hills are in Maharashtra (near Nashik).
Pair 3 (Pushkar — Mahadeo Hills): INCORRECT.
Pushkar is located near Ajmer in Rajasthan, surrounded by the Aravalli Hills (specifically the Nag Pahar/Snake Mountain).
The Mahadeo Hills are part of the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh — a completely different location.
So only Pair 1 is correctly matched.
Tip for such questions: If you are sure about one pair being correct and one being wrong, you can eliminate options and arrive at the answer.
Srisailam in Nallamala Hills houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, while Omkareshwar (another Jyotirlinga) is in Vindhya Range near Narmada River, not Satmala Hills.
UPSC uses pilgrimage sites to test knowledge of hill ranges across India - students must know that Pushkar is in Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan, not Mahadeo Hills of Madhya Pradesh.
The question tests precise location mapping of religious sites with their corresponding hill ranges across different states.
Srisailam & Nallamala Hills
Geography Srisailam Nallamala Hills
Srisailam Temple & Nallamala Hills Location
Srisailam is located on a flat hilltop in the Nallamala Hills, Andhra Pradesh
Home to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (one of 12 sacred Shiva temples) and Bhramaramba temple
Surrounded by Srisailam Tiger Reserve - one of India's largest tiger reserves
Geographic Context
Srisailam sits on a plateau within the Nallamala Hills, which form part of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. The temple complex overlooks the Krishna River valley.
Key Features
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga - one of the 12 most sacred Shiva temples in India
Bhramaramba Devi temple - one of the 18 Shakti Peethas
Srisailam Dam on Krishna River creates a large reservoir in the area
Pathala Ganga - sacred bathing ghat accessible by rope-way from hilltop
Major pilgrimage destination during Shivaratri and Brahmotsavams
Temple Location
Aerial view of Srisailam temple complex on hilltop in Nallamala Hills with Krishna River and surrounding forest visible
Srisailam temple sits on a plateau in Nallamala Hills, surrounded by dense forests and Krishna River valley
Don't confuse Nallamala Hills (Eastern Ghats) with Western Ghats ranges
Srisailam is in Andhra Pradesh, not Telangana (though close to border)
Mallikarjuna is the Jyotirlinga name, not just 'Srisailam temple'
Omkareshwar Temple Location
Geography Omkareshwar Satmala Hills
Omkareshwar: Narmada Island Temple in Vindhya Range
Omkareshwar is on a sacred island in Narmada River, Madhya Pradesh
Located near Mandhata hills in Vindhya Range, NOT Satmala Hills
One of 12 Jyotirlingas with unique Om-shaped island geography
Correct Location
Omkareshwar temple sits on Mandhata island formed by the Narmada River. The island's shape resembles the sacred 'Om' symbol. It lies in the Vindhya Range foothills in Madhya Pradesh, not the Satmala Hills which are in Maharashtra.
Location Clarification
Aspect | Correct Detail | Common Confusion |
|---|---|---|
Hill Range | Vindhya Range (Mandhata hills) | Satmala Hills (Maharashtra) |
River | Narmada River island | Land-based temple |
State | Madhya Pradesh | Maharashtra |
Nearest City | Khandwa district | Nashik area |
Geographic Significance
Island temple - rare among Jyotirlingas to be on river island
Narmada parikrama - pilgrims circumambulate entire Narmada River starting here
Two temples - Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar on opposite banks connected by bridge
Vindhya-Satpura transition zone - unique geological setting
Satmala Hills are in Maharashtra near Nashik, not MP where Omkareshwar is located
Don't confuse Vindhya Range (Central India) with Sahyadri/Western Ghats
Narmada flows westward, unlike most Indian rivers that flow eastward
Pushkar & Aravalli Hills
Geography Pushkar Mahadeo Hills
Pushkar Lake & Temple: Aravalli Hills Location
Pushkar is located in Aravalli Hills near Ajmer, Rajasthan
Mahadeo Hills are part of Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh - wrong location
Famous for Brahma temple (rare) and sacred lake with 52 ghats
Correct Location
Pushkar lies in a valley surrounded by the Aravalli Hills, specifically near Nag Pahar (Snake Mountain). The town sits around a natural lake formed in this ancient mountain range of Rajasthan.
Hill Range Correction
Feature | Pushkar (Correct) | Mahadeo Hills (Wrong) |
|---|---|---|
Mountain Range | Aravalli Hills | Satpura Range |
State | Rajasthan | Madhya Pradesh |
Specific Location | Nag Pahar area near Ajmer | Pachmarhi plateau region |
Geological Age | Precambrian (very ancient) | Mesozoic era |
Nearby City | Ajmer (11 km) | Hoshangabad district |
Religious Significance
Only major Brahma temple in India - extremely rare deity worship
Sacred lake with 52 ghats - each representing a year
Kartik Purnima fair - massive annual cattle and camel fair
Pushkar Camel Fair - internationally famous cultural event
Aravalli Setting
Source: Shutterstock — Aerial Drone Panning Distance Shot Showing · www.shutterstock.com
Mahadeo Hills are in Madhya Pradesh (Satpura Range), not Rajasthan
Aravalli is India's oldest mountain range, geologically distinct from Satpura
Don't confuse Pushkar (Rajasthan) with Puskaram festivals in South India
Major Hill Ranges of India
Geography Nallamala Hills Satmala Hills Mahadeo Hills
Major Hill Ranges: Location & Characteristics
Nallamala Hills - Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh
Satmala Hills - Western Ghats extension, Maharashtra near Nashik
Mahadeo Hills - Satpura Range, Madhya Pradesh (Pachmarhi plateau)
Aravalli Hills - Rajasthan, India's oldest mountain range
Hill Ranges Comparison
Hill Range | Parent System | State | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Nallamala Hills | Eastern Ghats | Andhra Pradesh | Srisailam, Krishna River, Tiger Reserve |
Satmala Hills | Western Ghats | Maharashtra | Near Nashik, Godavari basin |
Mahadeo Hills | Satpura Range | Madhya Pradesh | Pachmarhi, highest point in MP |
Aravalli Hills | Aravalli Range | Rajasthan | Pushkar, Mount Abu, oldest range |
Vindhya Hills | Vindhya Range | MP/UP border | Omkareshwar area, Narmada valley |
Hill Systems Organization
# Indian Hill Ranges
## Eastern Ghats
- Nallamala Hills
- Javadi Hills
- Shevaroy Hills
- Pachaimalai Hills
## Western Ghats
- Sahyadri Range
- Nilgiri Hills
- Satmala Hills
- Cardamom Hills
## Central Highlands
- Satpura Range
- Mahadeo Hills
- Vindhya Range
- Kaimur Hills
## Peninsular
- Aravalli Range
- Delhi Ridge
- Rajmahal HillsSatmala ≠ Sahyadri - Satmala is specific hills near Nashik in Western Ghats
Mahadeo Hills are part of Satpura, not a separate range
Eastern & Western Ghats don't meet - Palghat Gap separates them
Aravalli runs NE-SW, unlike most Indian ranges that run N-S or E-W
Jyotirlinga Temples & Geography
Art And Culture Srisailam Omkareshwar
12 Jyotirlingas: Geographic Distribution & Hill Locations
12 Jyotirlingas are most sacred Shiva temples across India
Srisailam (Nallamala Hills) and Omkareshwar (Vindhya Range) are 2 of the 12
Many Jyotirlingas located in hill ranges - important for geographic questions
Jyotirlingas in Hill Locations
Jyotirlinga | Location | Hill Range/Geography | State |
|---|---|---|---|
Mallikarjuna | Srisailam | Nallamala Hills (Eastern Ghats) | Andhra Pradesh |
Omkareshwar | Omkareshwar | Vindhya Range (Narmada island) | Madhya Pradesh |
Kedarnath | Kedarnath | Garhwal Himalayas | Uttarakhand |
Tryambakeshwar | Nashik | Sahyadri Range (Western Ghats) | Maharashtra |
Bhimashankar | Pune district | Sahyadri Range (Western Ghats) | Maharashtra |
Mahakaleshwar | Ujjain | Malwa Plateau | Madhya Pradesh |
Geographic Pattern
Hill locations - Many Jyotirlingas situated in mountain ranges for spiritual significance
River connections - Often located near sacred rivers (Narmada, Krishna, Godavari, Ganga)
Pan-Indian spread - From Himalayas (Kedarnath) to Deccan (Srisailam) to Western coast
Strategic locations - Many on ancient trade routes and pilgrimage circuits
Srisailam = Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga - use correct temple names in answers
Don't confuse Omkareshwar (MP) with Grishneshwar (Maharashtra)
Tryambakeshwar near Nashik is different from Trimbak hill station
12 Jyotirlingas are distinct from 51 Shakti Peethas - different pilgrimage circuits