Nestled on an island shaped like Om in the Narmada River, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is a sacred place dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of twelve holy Jyotirlingas along with Mamaleshwar Temple in the other bank of the Narmada river. Built around the 11th century, the shape of the island is said to be like the Devanagari ॐ symbol.
Notable Fact: Adi Shankara’s Cave – Omkareshwar is said to be the place where Adi Sankara met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada in a cave. This cave can be found even today just below the Shiva temple where an image of Adi Shankara has been installed.
Mythological Significance
According to the Shiv Mahapuraan, Brahma (the Creator) and Vishnu (the Preserver) once had a disagreement about which of them were supreme. To test them, Shiva pierced the three worlds as an immeasurable pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga. Vishnu and Brahma parted company to determine the extent of each end of the pillar. Brahma, who had set off upward, lied that he had discovered the upper end of the pillar, but Vishnu, who had gone in the direction of the base of the pillar, admitted that he had not. Shiva then appeared as a second Jyotirlinga and cursed Brahma, telling him that he would have no place in the ceremonies. The Jyotirlinga is the supreme indivisible reality from which Shiva appears. Jyothirlinga shrines commemorate this time when Shiva appeared. It was believed that there were originally sixty-four jyotirlingas. Twelve are considered to be especially auspicious and holy. Each of the twelve sites takes the name of the presiding deity and each is considered a separate manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary deity is a lingam representing the beginning less and endless Stambha pillar, symbolizing the Shiva’s infinite nature.
Legend of Omkareshwar Temple
As per a Hindu legend, Vindhya, the deity controlling the Vindhyachal mountain range was worshipping Shiva to propitiate himself from the sins committed. He created a sacred geometrical diagram and a Lingam made of sand and clay. Shiva was pleased with the worship and believed to have appeared in two forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleswara. Since the mud mound appeared in the form of Om, the island came to be known as Omkareswar. There is a shrine for Parvati and Ganapati in the temple.
The second story relates to Mandhata and his son’s penance. King Mandhata of Ikshvaku clan (an ancestor of Ram) worshipped Shiva here until the Lord manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga. Some scholars also narrate the story about Mandhata’s sons-Ambarish and Muchukunda, who had practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Shiva. Because of this, the mountain is named Mandhata.
The third story from Hindu scriptures reveals that there was a great war between the Devas (gods) and Danavas (demons), in which the Danavas won. This was a major setback for Devas and hence Devas prayed to Shiva. Pleased with their prayer, Shiva emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated Danavas.
Historical Background
The temple’s was built in the 11th century by the Paramara Kings of Malwa. After the Paramara kings, the administration of the temple was taken over by the Chauhan rulers. In the 13th century CE, the temple suffered destruction and loot by Muslim invaders starting with Mahmud Ghazni. Nevertheless, the temple remained intact without complete destruction. The temple was under the Chauhan Kings during the entire Mughal rule, without much renovation. In the 18th century, the temple was rebuilt by the Holkar rulers. The construction of the same was started by the 1st Holkar Queen, Gautama Bai Holkar and later completed by her daughter-in-law Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. The temple came under the British rule during the colonial era. After Independence in 1947, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took over the responsibility of the temple with the help of the Khandwa administration. Old texts from the 1000s speak of its linga. Skanda Puran names Omkareshwar a holy land.
Architecture of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Omkareshwar Temple sits on a one-acre island in the Narmada, made in Nagara style. The main part has a three-story spire, carved with Shiva’s trident, snakes, and lotus blooms, all in gray stone. Inside, the Omkar linga, black and smooth, rests in a silver pit, lit by ghee lamps. The inner walls got plain stone with old prayers.
A small hall has eight pillars, carved with gods and river waves. Lesser shrines for Parvati, Ganesh, and Annapurna stand in the yard, made of stone. The Parvati shrine shows her sitting, for calm. The Ganesh one, from 1300, has him with sweets, for smarts. The Annapurna one shows her with a ladle, for plenty. The stone yard feels holy, by the river. A carved gate has Shiva’s form. A water ghat, Narmada’s edge, is for ritual dips. Pillars tell Shiva’s stories, guiding those who pray. The river’s flow adds peace.
Information for Travelers
Hours and Entry: Open every day, 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It’s free to enter, but prayers cost ₹100–400. No pictures in the inner room.
Clothing: Wear clothes covering shoulders and knees. Women for prayers wear sarees or suits, men wear dhotis.
How to Get There:
Air: Indore Airport, 77 km off, is closest. Taxis take 2 hours.
Train: Omkareshwar Road Station, 12 km away, links to Indore (2 hours).
Road: Buses from Indore (2 hours) come to Omkareshwar. Boats cross the Narmada (₹50).
Best Time to Visit:
October to March is cool, 20–30°C. Weekdays are calm. Maha Shivratri’s full, so plan early.
Nearby Attractions:
Mamleshwar Temple, 1 km away, is a twin Jyotirlinga.
Gauri Somnath Temple, 2 km away, has a tall linga.
Siddhanath Temple, 3 km away, honors Shiva.
Ahilya Ghat, 25 km away, is a Holkar site.
Maheshwar Fort, 30 km away, is a river fort.
