The
visit to this Sri Omkareshwar Temple, on the northern banks of the Narmada River,
in the island Mandhata in Madhya Pradesh, was a part of “Magnificent Madhya
Pradesh Yatra - Bhopal / Indore / Mandu / Maheswar / Ujjain”, from Nov 23rd
to Nov 29, 2025, organised by Mantra Yathra. Thanks to Mr Balaji
Davey and his team of Mantra
Yatra (website), for the excellent
arrangement and personal care.
This
is the 4th Jyotirlinga temple of the 12 Jyotir Linga temples. spread across India.
Moolavar : Sri Omkareshwar
Consort : Sri Parvati
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
A
Shiva sannidhi and the Late Raja Rao Saubhagya Singh (1908 – 1970) sanndhis are
before the start of the Q complex. The temple complex faces south, on a hill, and comprises Shri Omkareshwar, Shri Mahakaleshwar, Shri Siddhnath, and Shri
Gupteshwar. The flag-bearing deity is at the top of the shikara. A Rishabam is
facing the sanctum sanctorum, under the open mukha mandapam. Moolavar is of
swayambhu, and a small Rishabam is in front. Ma Parvati’s image is on the back wall of the sanctum sanctorum.
The
cave where Adi Shankara did penance is on the first level from the Narmada
River.
Shri Mamleswar temple is on the southern banks of the Narmada River. The details
are written as a separate post.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple complex is constructed on five floors, consisting of the sanctum sanctorum, which is about 5 feet below the mandapa. The construction of vimanam above the
sanctum sanctorum followed the Rekha Nagara style of North Indian architecture.
The vimana was built with limestone.
The
mukha mandapam is supported by 60 pillars, 14 feet tall. The pillars are
intricately carved with Hindu deities, designs and floral motifs. The capitals of each pillar are with various dwarf gana images.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
There
is no inscriptional evidence to prove the antiquity of the temple and the King who
built it. The temple may have been reconstructed in the 18th century.
It
is said that Maharani Devi Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, a devout patron of Hindu
temples, contributed to the renovation and preservation of the Shree
Omkareshwar Temple during her reign in the 18th century.
The king who extended his contribution
LEGENDS
The
Shiva, Shree Omkareswarar, is praised in the Skanda Purana, the Shiva Purana, and the Vayu
Purana.
As
per the legend, the Vindhya Mountain did a penance and worshipped Shiva in the
form of a physical Lingam, after which Shiva appeared and blessed the mountain,
manifesting as the Pranav Lingam. It is also said that after the prayers of the
celestial gods, the Lingam was divided into two parts, one became Omkareshwar
and the other, Mamleshwar. It is believed that Shiva used to take rest in this
place during the night.
According
to another legend, King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty meditated here, and Shree
Shiva appeared and blessed him. Since the island resembles “Om” or “Omkar”,
which is why Shiva is called Shree Omkareshwar.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas, special poojas like Abhishek pooja, Partheshwar, Navagraha
Shanti, Kalsarph Dosha, Narmada Pooja, Maha Mirtyunjaya, Somavar Sawari, etc, are conducted.
Devotees
do the 7 km parikrama of Mandhta island for prayers.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open for darshan from 04.30 hrs to 21.30 hrs.
04:30
AM to 05:00 AM – Mangal Aarti and Naivedya Bhog
05:00
AM to 12:20 PM – Mangal Darshan
12:20
PM to 01:15 PM – Madhyanha Bhog
01:15
PM to 04:00 PM – Madhyanha Darshan
04:00
PM to 04:15 PM – Sayamkalin Shringar
04:15
PM to 08:00 PM – Shringar Darshan
08:30
PM to 09:00 PM – Shayan Shringar and Aarti
09:00
PM to 09:30 PM – Shayan Shringar Darshan
CONTACT
DETAILS
Temple’s
website: http://omkareshwar.org/English
For
support, please call or WhatsApp (8AM-8PM), +918989998686.
HOW
TO REACH
The
island Mandhata can be reached through the bridge from the southern banks of
the river Narmada.
The
temple is 77 km from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar airport at Indore, 12 km from the
Railway Station Sanawad, 72 km from the Railway Junction Khandwa, and 12 km
from the bus stand Mortakka (Regular bus services are available from Indore,
Ujjain, Khargone, and Khandwa).
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
ADI SANKARA'S CAVE
It is believed that Adi Sankara stayed here and worshipped Shri Omkareshwar Jyotir Linga. This is a natural cave, and later, supporting artistic pillars are added, and the walls and ceiling are plastered. A Statue of Adisankara is inside the cave and on the hill.
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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