shaiva · Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
ओंकारेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग
Presiding deity: Lord Shiva as Omkareshwar (Lord of the Pranava Om), worshipped as the fourth of the twelve Jyotirlingas, with a self-manifested linga whose island-shape resembles the sacred syllable Om when viewed from above
Established: Mentioned in the Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana as an ancient Siddhapeetha; current temple complex built by the Paramara dynasty in the 11th century CE with later additions by the Holkars of Indore
Significance
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas where Shiva manifested as the very embodiment of Omkara (Om syllable); the only Jyotirlinga where Shiva is said to physically reside daily and play chausar with Parvati at night; the Narmada parikrama begins and ends here; uniquely houses two main shrines — Omkareshwar on the island and Mamleshwar on the south bank — both considered the same Jyotirlinga
Legend
King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty performed severe penance here and Shiva manifested as the Omkareshwar linga, promising to dwell eternally on this island shaped like Om; in another legend, the devas defeated the asuras here by appeasing Shiva who divided his presence into two shrines — Omkareshwar for the celestials and Mamleshwar (Amareshwar) for the rishis
How to reach
Omkareshwar is on Mandhata island in the Narmada river, 77 km from Indore; regular buses from Indore, Ujjain (140 km) and Khandwa (72 km); reachable by jhula pul (footbridge) or boat from the mainland ghats
Where to stay
MP Tourism Narmada Resort, Sri Govindram Seksaria Dharamshala, numerous temple trust guest houses on both banks; premium hotels in Indore
Primary pujas performed here
- Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap
- Rudrabhishek
- Laghu Rudra
- Maha Rudra
- Narmada Snan + Linga Darshan
- Kashi Vishweshwar Mukut Darshan
What to offer: Bilva leaves, white flowers, milk, ganga jal, bhang (cannabis leaves), dhatura, white cloth, and the famous Narmada parikrama gravels (banalingas)
Modern access
Major pilgrimage circuit combining all twelve Jyotirlingas; Sankaracharya is believed to have met his guru Govindapada in a nearby cave; the daily night chausar ritual where deity is laid down with Parvati continues unbroken; Narmada parikrama (3500 km, 3 years 3 months 13 days) begins and ends here
Nearby tirthas
- mamleshwar-jyotirlinga
- mahakaleshwar-ujjain
- maheshwar-narmada-ghats
- indore-khajrana-ganesh
- ujjain-harsiddhi-shakti-peeth