Omkareshwar Temple

Omkareshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, holds immense significance as one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas in Hinduism. It is uniquely situated on Mandhata island (also called Shivapuri) in the middle of the sacred Narmada River in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The island itself is said to be naturally shaped like the 'Om' (ॐ) symbol when viewed from above, adding another layer of sanctity to the location. The origins of worship at Omkareshwar are ancient, deeply rooted in Puranic scriptures which narrate legends associated with the manifestation of the Jyotirlinga here, often linked to penance performed by King Mandhata (an ancestor of Lord Rama) or the Vindhya mountain. Its location on the banks of the Narmada, one of India's holiest rivers, has made it a major pilgrimage destination for centuries, integral to the Narmada Parikrama (circumambulation) tradition. The main Omkareshwar temple likely underwent several phases of construction and renovation throughout history. While the exact dating of the earliest structure is uncertain, the current temple exhibits features of the North Indian Nagara architectural style, possibly dating from the medieval period with significant additions and restorations undertaken during the Maratha era, particularly under the patronage of the Holkar dynasty of Indore in the 18th and 19th centuries. Interestingly, Mandhata island houses another prominent Shiva temple, the Amareshwar Temple ('Temple of the Immortal Lord'), located on the southern bank. Some traditions consider both Omkareshwar and Amareshwar jointly as constituting the Jyotirlinga, or hold Amareshwar as the primary linga. The island setting, the confluence with the Kaveri river (a tributary, not the southern Kaveri), the Narmada's spiritual significance, and the Jyotirlinga status combine to make Omkareshwar a profoundly important center of Shaiva worship in Central India.