A Complete Guide to Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga You Must Know Before You Go

Omkareshwar is a divine, devotional, and peaceful location situated in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. It serves not only as a popular tourist destination but also as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. "Omkareshwar" derives its name from the Om-shaped island formed by the Narmada River. The stunning beauty of Omkareshwar Temple draws lakhs of tourists to Madhya Pradesh each year. This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every year, millions of devotees flock to Omkareshwar to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva.

How to Reach Omakreshwar in Indore?

Omkareshwar is located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. It has access from any place in India or other countries.

By Air

The very close Airport is Indore, which is 80 km from Omkareshwar. Once you arrive, go for private taxis or local transportation to reach Omkareshwar. Local buses also run to and fro in good quantity,

By Train

Omkareshwar Road is the nearest railway station, but it has access to limited trains. If you travel from outside the city, Indore is the main railhead to reach the Omkareshwar divine temple. The distance is at most 80 km between Indore and the Omkareshwar main temple. Many express trains halt at Indore station from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and others.

By Road

Being a major tourist attraction in Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar has excellent road connectivity. Regular local and private buses are available from different parts of cities in different states. One can also think of driving one's own vehicle to Omakreshwar.

What is the History of Omkareshwar?

Omkareshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. According to a Hindu Purana story, there was a Hindu legend named Vindya, the deity of Vindya Mountain, who worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sins he had committed. He made a lingam of sand and clay, and Lord Shiva appeared in two forms to please him: Amaleshwar and Omkareshwar. The mud was shaped in the form of Om, hence it is named Omkareshwar.

My Experience of Visiting Omakreshwar

It was my long-cherished wish to meet Lord Shiva at his place. Out of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India, I had visited Somnath, Nageshwar, Ghrushnewahr, Bhimashankar, Trimbakewar, Mahakaleshwar, and now Omakreshwar. It all started with a sudden plan that evolved into action. We began our journey from where we traveled and reached Indore. Upon arriving in Indore, we needed to catch another local bus to reach Omkareshwar, which is only about 50 km from the main bus stand. By the time we reached Omkareshwar, it was 8am. Since we had not booked a stay in advance, we set out to find a hotel. While searching for accommodations, I unexpectedly came across the Gajanan Maharaj Trust Dharmashala, which is commonly available at many holy sites. We had to wait until 10am, as bookings begin only after that. The booking system here is based on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as a room becomes vacant, the next person in line gets preference. One night in an AC room cost us just 700 INR. Please note that this accommodation is available only for families and not for groups of individual friends.

This Dharmashala has a restaurant inside it, which is affordable.

After freshening up, we went straight to the main temple of Omkareshwar. It was a bit crowded, so we had to stand in line. With the chanting of "Om Namah Shivay," we finally made it inside the main temple to seek blessings. I was overwhelmed. Even though we just had 5 seconds in front of the Shiv Ling, my eyebrows couldn't move for a second. After receiving blessings, it was time to move to the Mamleshwar temple just opposite the river. You will be surprised to hear that Mamleshwar is believed to be the actual Jyotirling Temple, opposite the Omkareshwar temple. It is said that the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is incomplete without Mamleshwar's blessings.

One of which is called the actual Jyotirlinga of Omkareshwar

Inside view of the Omkareshwar main temple

overwhelming scene of Omakreshwar Journey

Narmada Ghat is a divine place to spend quality time with your loved ones. It is a relaxing spot where you can sit and talk quietly by the banks of the river. Many devotees take a dip in the river before visiting the main temple. An Aarti ceremony is performed here every evening, similar to the tradition in Haridwar. You can also choose to go boating, where the boat riders will brief you about the significance of this sacred place and may even drop you off on the other side of the temple. Don't forget to capture the moments of the evening, Aarti!. There are limited options to have food here, so carry your own snacks with you.

Floating with faith on the Maa Narmada River

Narmada in her evening Glow

Ideal Time to Visit Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar is a sacred Jyotirlinga in India that can be visited year-round. However, the best time to visit is during the winter months, from October to February, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. This allows visitors to seek blessings and enjoy activities like boating. 

In the summer, temperatures can become extremely hot and humid, making it difficult to walk to the temple and enjoy the ghat area. As a result, fewer people tend to visit during this season. If you're on a tight budget for accommodation, summer may be a cost-effective time to visit.

The monsoon season can bring flood-like conditions to the river, but it also enhances the area’s lush greenery. Major festivals such as Kartik Purnima, Makar Sankranti, and Mahashivratri attract many tourists, making these times particularly lively. 

Places to Stay around Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar is one of the Jyotirlingas and attracts many devotees. There are numerous hotels available for accommodation, ranging from deluxe to super deluxe options. Based on my experience, I recommend Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan Dharmshala. Make sure to book your stay in advance to avoid last-minute difficulties. Most of the hotels are located about 2 kilometers from the temple.

Foods to Try When You are in Omkareshwar

While visiting Omakreshwar, you can indulge in a variety of traditional food. Due to a sacred place, you need to compromise on non-vegetarian food.

Dal Bafia local signature dish made from wheat. Poha and Sabudana Khichdi, which is served in many flavors. There are a few local restaurants to try this variety of food.

Things to Remember before You Visit to Omakreshwar Temple

• Temple timing here is from morning 5 am to evening 9 pm
• While visiting in wintertime time carry clothes as per the weather conditions
• The Ghat area is quite slippery, so be careful while taking the holy dip
• You can either reach the main temple via boating or also reach via walking on the hanging bridge.
• Do not litter the area around.