Omkareshwar Temple

Omkareshwar Temple on the island of Mandhata in the Narmada River in Khandwa district is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in central India. The island is shaped like the Sanskrit symbol Om, giving the shrine its name. The Jyotirlinga here is known as Omkareshwar, and a separate temple on the same island houses the Amareshwar Jyotirlinga, meaning that this single site is sometimes counted as containing two of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The Narmada River splits around the island at this point, and pilgrims traditionally complete a parikrama (circumambulation) of the island by boat, covering about 7 km. The ghats along the river are lined with temples and ashrams, and the atmosphere of the pilgrimage town is deeply traditional. The Omkareshwar temple is one of the most atmospheric Jyotirlinga sites, with the river, the island setting, and the ancient ghats combining to create a pilgrimage experience unlike any other.