Tirth Yatra GuideOmkareshwar jyotirlinga
Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh: the story, the temple and what to know before you go.
About Omkareshwar
- Place
- Mandhata island on the Narmada river
- District and state
- Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh
- Deity
- Shiva, as a jyotirlinga (a column of light)
The temple stands on an island in the Narmada which, seen from above, is said to be shaped like the sacred syllable Om, hence the name. There are two forms here, Omkareshwar and Mamaleshwar (Amaleshwar), on opposite banks.
In the tradition, the gods were defeated by the demons of the Vindhya mountains and prayed to Shiva, who appeared and saved them. A well-known custom is the circumambulation (parikrama) of the island and the river, and the pilgrimage of the whole Narmada on foot is held in great honour.
Getting there and when to go
The nearest railway stations are at Omkareshwar Road (Mortakka) and Khandwa, and Indore is the nearest large city. The monsoon brings the river to flood, and the winter months are best.
Read our guide to planning a yatra and the notes on temple etiquette. This is jyotirlinga number 4 in the usual list of twelve; see all twelve.
Previous: Mahakaleshwar · Next: Kedarnath
Questions people ask
Where is Omkareshwar?
Mandhata island on the Narmada river, in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh.
What is a jyotirlinga?
A jyotirlinga, "lingam of light", is a place where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a column of light. Twelve are named in the Shiva Purana tradition.
Temple rules, opening seasons, booking arrangements and routes change. Before you travel, check the official website of the temple or the state tourism board, and be careful of anyone who asks for money to book darshan or a stay by phone or message. We do not sell tours or packages. Information on this page was last checked in November 2026.