Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
ओंकारेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग
📍 Mandhata island, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
On Mandhata island in the Narmada, which nature has shaped like the sacred syllable ॐ, stands the fourth Jyotirlinga. Mamleshwar, across the river, is worshipped as its twin.
नर्मदा के ॐ आकार वाले मांधाता द्वीप पर — ओंकारेश्वर, और नदी पार ममलेश्वर।
इतिहास History
The island takes its name from the Ikshvaku king Mandhata, who is said to have done penance here. Its stone shrines were rebuilt over the centuries by local dynasties, including the Holkars of Indore.
Tradition says the young Adi Shankaracharya met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada in a cave here. The 108-foot 'Statue of Oneness' of Adi Shankara was unveiled on the Mandhata hills in 2023.
कथा The legend
When the Vindhya mountain grew proud, it worshipped Shiva here and was blessed; Shiva appeared as Omkareshwar. In another telling, the devas prayed here for victory over the demons, and Shiva came as Omkar.
दर्शनीय Don’t miss
- Parikrama of the ॐ-shaped island on foot
- Mamleshwar temple on the southern bank
- The Statue of Oneness (Ekatma Dham)
- Boat rides on the Narmada
उत्सव Festivals
मंदिर दर्शन Temple story
This temple’s story is coming soon to our YouTube series.
▶ Watch all 18 Temple Stories on YouTube
Jyotirlinga yatra · next (5 of 12)Baba Baidyanath Dham, Deoghar→Photo: Deveshc92 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons