Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Mandhata
The fourth of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, on Mandhata island in the Narmada, 77 km from Indore, run by the Shri Omkareshwar Mandir Trust. Normal darshan is free and needs no booking, and runs from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM with three short ritual breaks. The rule the trust stresses hardest is at the lingam itself: touching the Shivling is strictly prohibited, and only darshan and a water offering are allowed inside the sanctum.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized
Omkareshwar timings in short
A long day of free darshan from 05:00 to 22:30, broken three times: by the midday bhog, by the evening shringar and by the Shayan Aarti.
History of Omkareshwar Temple
The trust states that no authentic record survives of who built the Omkareshwar temple or when. The sanctum is in an older style and resembles a smaller temple of its own, with a dome of stone layers; it sits on the southern edge of the deep river bank and faces north, while the larger, newer part of the temple faces south, which is why the deity does not line up with the main door or the spire.
The temple's glory is recorded in the Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana and Vayu Purana, and Adi Shankaracharya composed a verse describing Omkareshwar dwelling at the confluence of the Kaveri and Narmada in the city of Mandhata. Three daily worships reflect later patrons: the trust performs the morning puja, priests of the Scindia family the afternoon puja, and priests of the Holkar family the evening puja.
- Status
- Fourth of the twelve Jyotirlingas
- Island
- Mandhata, about 4 km by 2 km, shaped like Om
- Hall
- About 14 feet high on 60 pillars
- Floors
- Five, each with its own deity
- Darshan
- Free, 05:00 to 22:30
- Parikrama
- About 7 km around the island
Why Omkareshwar matters to Hindus
Omkareshwar is the fourth of the twelve Jyotirlingas and, the trust notes, the only one on the northern shore of its river. In one legend the Vindhya mountain worshipped Shiva here and Shiva appeared as the Pranav Lingam; in another, King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty meditated here and was blessed. The lingam is held to have divided in two, the Jyotirlinga at Omkareshwar and the physical lingam at Mamleshwar.
It is believed that after travelling the three worlds each day, Shiva rests here, which is why the temple arranges a Shayan Shringar and Shayan Darshan every night. The 7 km Omkar Parvat Parikrama around the island takes in shrines such as Siddhanath and Gauri Somnath and the statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Ekatm Dham.
More facts about Omkareshwar
- Deity
- Shiva, as Omkareshwar
- Status
- The fourth of the twelve Jyotirlingas
- Where
- Mandhata island in the Narmada, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh
- Administered by
- Shri Omkareshwar Mandir Trust
- Distance
- 77 km from Indore
- Levels
- Five floors, each with its own deity
- Also known as
- Omkareshwar Temple, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Omkareshwar Mandir, Shri Omkareshwar, Omkar Mandhata
Entry rules at Omkareshwar
The trust publishes a long list of rules. These are the ones that shape an ordinary visit.
The Shivling
Touching the Shivling is strictly prohibited. Follow the prescribed method for darshan, water offering and flower offering.
Inside the sanctum
Only darshan and water offering are allowed inside the Garbhagriha. Abhishek is performed by temple priests at designated places.
Offerings
The trust notes that it may sometimes be prohibited to bring offerings such as bilvapatra, flowers and coconuts into the Garbhagriha.
Tickets and ID
Devotees booking online must report at the counter with a printed ticket and a valid photo ID. A Special Darshan ticket is valid for one person.
Children
Children under 12 get free Special Darshan with their parents but are not allowed alone.
Donations
Donations only through the official website, app, counter or donation box. Do not give donations to unauthorised persons.
Suspensions
Darshan may be temporarily suspended for VIP visits or security reasons, and standard rules may not apply during Shivratri, Shravan, fairs and festivals.
Omkareshwar dress code
The trust answers the dress code question directly, and the answer is more relaxed than at most Jyotirlingas.
- There is no specific dress code for darshan or pooja.
- Devotees may wear simple and modest clothes.
How to reach Omkareshwar Temple
By air
The nearest airport is Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport at Indore, 77 km away, with regular flights to Delhi, Mumbai and other cities.
By train
Sanawad station, 12 km away, has MEMU trains towards Khandwa; Khandwa Junction, 72 km away, is on the express and superfast network.
By road
Mortakka bus stand, 12 km away, has regular buses to Indore, Ujjain, Khargone and Khandwa, and private taxis run from Indore and Khandwa.
Best time to visit Omkareshwar
The trust's own calendar sets the rhythm. Every Monday brings the Somwar Sawari procession, and in the month of Shravan it becomes a royal procession with the largest crowds of the year; Maha Shivaratri is the other peak. The trust warns that standard rules may not apply on those dates, so a first visit is easier on an ordinary weekday.
Within the day, darshan runs from 05:00 to 22:30 with short breaks, so there is no bad hour to arrive. Aim for the early morning after Mangal Aarti or the afternoon window from 13:15 to 16:00, and book the Narmada Aarti at Koti Tirth Ghat before 18:00 if you want to see it.
Tips before you go
- Carry a printed ticket and a photo ID if you have booked anything online.
- Do not touch the Shivling; offer only water inside the sanctum.
- Book Shighra Darshan only on the official website, and remember it ends at 20:00.
- Give donations only at the counter, the donation box or the official website and app.
- Visit Mamleshwar on the other bank to complete the darshan of both lingams.
- Walk the 7 km Omkar Parvat Parikrama around the island if time allows.
Not verified yet 5 items no official source publishes
- Waiting times in the free darshan queue on ordinary days and in Shravan.
- Whether phones and cameras are allowed inside the temple. The trust's rules do not say either way.
- Festival timings for Maha Shivaratri and the Shravan Mondays, which the trust says may differ.
- Wheelchair access to the sanctum. The trust lists a wheelchair service but the route has not been checked here.
- Whether the Shayan Shringar darshan the FAQ describes as closed for COVID-19 has resumed.
Know one of these from an official notice? Send it to us and the page is updated with a new date.
Questions about visiting
Answered from what the temple publishes, with the gaps left as gaps.
What are the Omkareshwar Temple timings?
The trust publishes darshan from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM, closed for Madhyanha Bhog from 12:20 PM to 1:15 PM, for Sayamkalin Shringar from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and for Shayan Aarti from 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Mangal Aarti is at 4:30 AM, before darshan opens.
Is darshan free at Omkareshwar?
Yes. The trust states normal darshan is free and does not require booking. Shighra Darshan is an optional paid ticket at Rs. 300, valid only for its time slot and available until 8:00 PM.
Can I touch the Shivling at Omkareshwar?
No. The trust states touching the Shivling is strictly prohibited and asks devotees not to argue about it. Only darshan and a water offering are allowed inside the sanctum.
Is there a dress code at Omkareshwar?
No official one. The trust says there is no specific dress code for darshan or pooja and that devotees may wear simple and modest clothes.
What ID do I need?
For online bookings, a printed ticket and a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar. Free darshan needs no booking.
How far is Omkareshwar from Indore?
The trust gives 77 km from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport in Indore. The nearest railway station is Sanawad at 12 km, and Khandwa Junction is 72 km away.
How far is Omkareshwar from Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain?
The trust gives Ujjain as 140 km away, by private car or by bus via Indore, with buses running until 7:00 PM or later.
What is Mamleshwar?
The trust explains that the lingam is held to have divided in two: the Jyotirlinga is at Omkareshwar and the physical lingam at Mamleshwar, also called Amreshwar, on the other bank. Many pilgrims visit both.
What is the Somwar Sawari?
A procession every Monday in which a golden palanquin carries a three-faced image of Omkareshwar from Koti Tirth Ghat through the town. It is grandest in the month of Shravan.
Where can I eat at Omkareshwar?
The trust's Omkar Prasadalaya serves meals from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and khichdi from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at a nominal cost.
Why is it called Omkareshwar?
The trust states the Narmada splits here to form Mandhata island, about 4 km long and 2 km wide, whose shape resembles the syllable Om.
Can darshan be suspended without notice?
Yes. The trust states darshan may be temporarily suspended for VIP visits or security reasons, and that standard rules may not apply during Shivratri, Shravan and festivals.
Need the timings in full?
The timings page carries the whole published schedule, block by block, and what to check before you travel.