Shiva mandir at Omkareshwar located in Madhya Pradesh, on the Mandhata hill island on the Narmada is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas. This island has two hills and is divided in such a manner that it appears like an Om
Shrine’s History
The shape of the island is said to be like the Hindu Om symbol. There are two temples here, one to Omkareshwar (whose name means “Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound”) and one to Amareshwar (whose name means “Immortal lord” or “lord of the Immortals or Devas”).
Legends Associated with This Shrine
It is said that once, sage Naradar during his visit to the Vindyas, sang the praise of mount Meru to Mount Vindhya. On hearing this, Mount Vindhya prayed to Lord Siva to gain in importance. Lord Siva blessed him & appeared here as Omkareshwarar & Amaleshwarar and gave the boon of grwoing, but without hindering Siva devotees. But the Vindhyas did not stop growing, and even obstructed the sun and the moon. Sage Agasthyar subdued its growth by saying it should not grow till he gets back there. He never went back & hence the growth was arrested.The Omkareshwar temple built in the Nagara style is characterized by a lofty shikhara.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
As this temple is built of sandstone, the frenzies figures craved on the walls appear very descriptive and actually seem to be brimming to life. Various shape of carved column border this shrine. Govinda Bhagavatpaada, the guru of Sankaracharya, is believed to have lived in a cave here. You can walk 8km round the island or up the 370 steps to the ruined Gaudi Somnnath Temple, from where you can descend the hill to the northern tip of the island, where sadhus bathe in the confluence of the holy Narmada and Keveri Rivers.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Omkareshwar is connected to all major towns and cities of Madhya Pradesh. There are regular bus services from Indore (77 km), Ujjain (133 km) Khandwa (61 km.) and Omkareshwar Road (12 km). By bus, it takes 2.5 hrs from Khandwa railway station to Omkareshwar.There are steamboats across the Narmada river and also two connecting bridges to reach the temple.
By Rail
Nearest Railway Station is at Omkareshwar Road (12 km) on the Ratlam-Khandwa section of the Western Railway which is not a mainline. The other nearest railway station connected to Delhi and Mumbai is at Indore (77 km).
By Air
The Airports close to Omkareshwar are at Indore (77 km) and Ujjain (133 km).
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Maha shiv rathri and karthik Pournami
