Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
Omkar Ji, Omkareshwar, India, 451115
Among India’s Jyotirlingas, 12 shrines and pilgrimage sites symbolizing the spread of Hindu god Lord Shiva’s influence across the nation, Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga stands out for its location on an island in the shape of the symbol Om. A pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees, the temple also hosts ritual events and religious festivals throughout the year.
The basics
The temple lies on the island of Mandhata on the southern bank of the Narmada River, reachable via boat rides and walks across the Narmada Bridge. Open to visitors daily, starting around sunrise, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is also a destination for full-day tours from Indore that stop at the temple and other sites nearby, such as Asirgarh Fort.
In addition to seeing the temple, you can explore the Narmada River on a rented boat and walk the Parikrama, a 4-mile (7-kilometer) walking path that stops at temples, ghats, and ashrams around the island.
Things to know before you go
Entry to Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is free.
Reaching the temple on foot requires an uphill climb—wear comfortable shoes.
Visitors should remove shoes, cover their heads, and avoid wearing shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, or revealing attire to comply with religious dress codes upon entry.
The temple is wheelchair accessible.
How to get there
Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga lies on Mandhata, an island on the Narmada River roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Indore, the largest city of Madhya Pradesh state. From Indore, you can take a train to Omkareshwar Road station, then take a taxi for the last 8 miles (14 kilometers). Other options include buses, which run frequent 2.5–3-hour routes from Indore; driving, which takes about 2.5 hours along National Highway 347BG; or joining a tour with round-trip transportation.
When to get there
The temple is open daily, from about sunrise to well after sunset. Summers in Madhya Pradesh, roughly from March to June, are punishingly hot, and the monsoon season from July to September brings torrential rains and high humidity, so for the most pleasant weather, visit during the winter from October to March. Visiting during a religious festival, such as Maha Shivaratri, held between February and March in honor of Lord Shiva, can be delightful.
India’s 12 Jyotirlingas
Shri Omkareshwar is only one of 12 Jyotirlingas spread throughout 8 Indian states. These temples and shrines dedicated to the Lord Shiva are pilgrimage sites thought to bring visitors religious purification. Among the other Jyotirlingas, Mahakaleshwar Temple, set on the banks of the Shipra River, is closest to Omkareshwar, but some can be found as far as Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand.
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