Rahagir
Omkareshwar Temple

Destinations / Madhya Pradesh

Omkareshwar

Jyotirlinga temple on an OM-shaped island in the Narmada, with the 108-ft Adi Shankaracharya statue.

FamousPilgrimageRiverIslandHeritage

Omkareshwar is one of the twelve jyotirlingas, set on Mandhata island in the Narmada, and pilgrims pair it with Mamleshwar on the opposite bank to complete the darshan. Most visitors combine it with Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, about 140 km away. The island walk, evening aarti on the river and the new Ekatma Dham statue fill a second day.

Trip planner

Plan from your city

From

Photos

Omkareshwar Temple
Omkareshwar Temple
The Narmada at Omkareshwar
The Narmada at Omkareshwar
Mamleshwar Temple
Mamleshwar Temple
Gomukh ghat
Gomukh ghat

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

WhenWhat to expect
October to MarchDescribed as the ideal time, with pleasant winter weather.
April to JuneHot. Plan darshan and the island walk for early morning and evening.
July to SeptemberMonsoon. Sawan (July to August) is the peak pilgrim month, with big crowds and high water in the Narmada.
FestivalsMahashivratri, Sawan Mondays and Kartik Purnima draw large crowds; book rooms early.

Sights and activities

1

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The main shrine on Mandhata island, one of the twelve jyotirlingas, with a stone shikhar and a pillared hall. Reached on foot over the bridges or by boat.

Distance
On the island, a short walk over the bridge
Entry
General darshan free; paid quick darshan available
Timings
About 5 am to 10:30 pm, with a short midday break for bhog
Time needed
1.5 to 3 hours depending on the queue

MapWrong fee or timing?

2

Mamleshwar Temple

On the south bank of the Narmada, holding the other half of the same jyotirlinga. Pilgrims visit both to complete the darshan.

Distance
On the mainland, across the river from the island
Entry
Free
Time needed
45 minutes

MapWrong fee or timing?

3

Ekatma Dham (Statue of Oneness)

A 108-ft multi-metal statue of Adi Shankaracharya on Mandhata hill, unveiled on 21 September 2023, looking south over the Narmada.

Distance
About 4 km from Omkareshwar town
Time needed
1 to 2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

4

Island parikrama

The walk around Mandhata island, starting at Kotitirth Ghat, passes ghats, old temples and viewpoints over the river and dam.

Distance
Starts at Kotitirth Ghat on the island
Entry
Free
Timings
In daylight
Time needed
2.5 to 4 hours on foot

MapWrong fee or timing?

5

Siddhnath Temple

Ruins of a 13th-century temple near the end of the parikrama, known for its carved pillars and a frieze of elephants.

Distance
On the island, on the parikrama path
Entry
Free
Timings
In daylight
Time needed
30 minutes

MapWrong fee or timing?

6

Gauri Somnath Temple

A three-storey temple with a 6-ft black stone linga, protected by the state archaeology department.

Distance
On the island
Entry
Free
Time needed
30 minutes

MapWrong fee or timing?

7

Narmada aarti and boat ride

A shayan aarti for the Narmada is held every evening at Kotitirth Ghat. Short boat rides cross between the island and the mainland ghats.

Distance
Kotitirth Ghat and the main ghats
Timings
Aarti in the evening
Time needed
1 hour

MapWrong fee or timing?

8

Kedareshwar Temple

A temple at the meeting of the Narmada and Kaveri, built in the style of Kedarnath.

Distance
About 4 km from the main temple
Entry
Free
Time needed
45 minutes

MapWrong fee or timing?

Getting there

By bus
Buses run from Indore, Ujjain and Khandwa. Indore is about 77 to 80 km away and Ujjain about 140 km; taxis are available from both.
By train
Omkareshwar Road (Mortakka) station is about 12 km away but has few trains. Most visitors arrive at Indore Junction (about 78 km) or Khandwa Junction (about 77 km) and continue by road.
By air
Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore, about 80 to 87 km away, about 2 to 2.5 hours by road.
Where to base yourself
Stay on the mainland near the Mamleshwar side and the bridges, or at MP Tourism's Temple View on the hill, about 15 minutes' walk from the temple.

Getting around

  • The temple area, ghats and bridges are walkable.
  • Boats cross between the island and the mainland ghats.
  • Autos and taxis run to Ekatma Dham, Kedareshwar and the dam.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

Build your own trip

Add this place and any others to a trip of your own. It is kept on this device.

Open my trip

Where to stay

Budget levelTypePrice per night
BudgetDharamshalas, guest houses and simple hotels near the ghats₹600 to ₹1,800
Mid-rangeMP Tourism Temple View and mid-range hotels₹1,800 to ₹3,500
LuxuryBest hotels and resorts in and around town₹4,000 to ₹9,000

Food

Food near the temple is simple and vegetarian, from thali places and snack stalls by the ghats. MP Tourism's Temple View has a restaurant.

Try these

  • Poha-jalebi
  • Dal bafla
  • Sabudana khichdi
  • Simple vegetarian thalis

Vegetarian food is everywhere; non-vegetarian food is hard to find near the temple.

Daily costs

Budget levelStay per roomFood per personLocal transport
Budget₹1,200₹400₹150 per person
Mid-range₹2,800₹900₹1,200 per vehicle
Luxury₹6,500₹1,800₹2,500 per vehicle

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

No permits are needed.

Safety

By day
The main risks are crowds on festival days and the river: bathe only at marked ghats, as the Narmada can run fast.
At night
Ghats and bridges are busy until the late aarti; use the main lit routes.
Solo women
Dress modestly for temple visits and keep to busy ghats after dark.
Roads
The road from Indore through Barwaha is about 80 km and is in regular use by buses and taxis.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies), 1800-233-7777 (MP Tourism helpline)

Practical

Mobile network
Mobile networks are reported to work in town; signal can be weak in parts of the island.
ATMs and cash
There are a few ATMs in town; carry cash for boats, prasad and small shops.
Fuel
Fill up in Indore or on the highway through Barwaha.
Medical
Basic medical care is available in town; for serious care, go to Indore, about 2 hours away. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors
Queues and steps at the temple and ghats are tiring; go early and use the paid quick darshan if needed.
Children
The boat crossing and the evening aarti suit children; keep a close watch near the water.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

  • Phones and bags may not be allowed inside the sanctum; use the lockers near the entry.
  • Dress modestly for temple visits and remove footwear where asked.
  • Pilgrims visit both Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar to complete the darshan.

What to pack

  • Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
  • Sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and sandals
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and socks for hot stone floors where shoes come off. Some temples do not allow phones or bags, so carry little
  • Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
  • Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Omkareshwar

Nearby

Closest places

Distance by road.

All of Madhya Pradesh

Report a correction