Recently, I travelled to Omkareshwar, one of the twelve jyotirlingas. So, I was unaware that there are two temples, Mamleshwar and Omkareshwar. So, I visited the wrong temple and almost skipped the main one. Fortunately, while strolling around, I heard devotees asking where’s Omkareshwar temple. The pandit pointed to a peach-coloured building on an island. So, I confirmed that info and then hired a boat to take me there. I would have felt disappointed and heartbroken had I missed out on the Omkareshwar temple. I didn’t want you guys to face the same problem, so I composed the Omkareshwar travel guide.

The Omkareshwar travel guide offers information on the Omkareshwar temple, darshan-related info, how to get there, where to stay, travel tips, places to see and things to do. But first, let’s browse through the history of Omkareshwar temple.

BRIEF HSTORY OF OMKARESHWAR TEMPLE

As I mentioned earlier, Omkareshwar is one of the twelve jyotirlingas. It shares this position with the Mamleshwar temple.

There are several legends regarding the Omkareshwar temple. But, the one about Vindhya is well-known. According to legend, Vindhya is a deity who controls the Vindhya mountain ranges. He wanted to atone for his sins. So, he started praying to Lord Shiva. Pleased with Vindhya’s devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him in two forms.

One was in the form of a Shiva linga, and the other was in the form of an Om. The Shiva linga is at the Mamleshwar temple, and the Omkareshwar temple is on Mandhata Hill. The hill appears as an Om when seen from above. However, there is a Shiva linga in the Omkareshwar temple.

The Mamleshwar temple is on the banks, and the Omkareshwar temple is on an island in the Narmada River. I had visited the Mamleshwar temple thinking it was the Omkareshwar temple. Luckily, I realised my mistake. So, be sure not to repeat my mistakes. Both temples are beautiful and worth visiting.

HOW TO REACH OMKARESHWAR TEMPLE?

The Omkareshwar temple is on Mandhata Hill in the Narmada River. There are two ways to reach there, walking or by boat.

There are two bridges- the old one and the new suspension bridge. They connect Mandhata Hill to the bank of the Narmada River. Both overpasses are near the VIP parking. The VIP parking charges Rs. 200 per vehicle because they are closer to the bridges. However, if you want to visit the Mamleshwar temple, walk down a long winding staircase. Or you can park in the regular parking lot. They charge Rs.50 per vehicle.

The other way to reach the Omkareshwar temple is by boat. A single craft charges Rs.50 per person(one way) to take devotees from Gaumukh Ghat to Mandhata Hill. You have to find another boatman to take you back to Gaumukh Ghat.

MAMLESHWAR DARSHAN INFO

The Mamleshwar temple opens from 5 am to 12:30 pm and reopens from 1:30 pm to 9 pm. The line at the Mamleshwar temple is smaller compared to Omkareshwar. Most devotees skip visiting Mamleshwar.

There is no VIP darshan at Mamleshwar temple. It is a small temple but beautiful temple. The line is short and moves fast. You will be in and out of the temple in 20 minutes.

OMKARESHWAR DARSHAN INFO

The Omkareshwar temple opens from 5 am to 12:30 pm and reopens from 1:30 pm to 9 pm. Since this is the main shrine, the line is long.

There are three lines, the free darshan, the VIP line, and the VVIP line. The free darshan is free. However, the line is long and takes 2-3 hours on a good day. If you arrive early morning, this line is a good option. The VIP line is shorter compared to the free darshan line. It costs Rs. 300 per person, and tickets are available at the booth adjacent to the temple. If you opt for a pandit, they charge Rs. 300 per person and their separate commission. The third line is the VVIP line and costs Rs. 500 per person or more.

All lines join in the gabhara (inner sanctum). The shrine is a few metres from here.

TIP:- Avoid visiting the temple before and after the afternoon break (12:30 pm to 1:30 pm). That’s when the crowds are at their peak.

HOW TO REACH OMKARESHWAR FROM PUNE?

I’m from Pune. So, I have listed different ways of travelling to Omkareshwar from Pune. Indore, 78 km away, is a major city. Therefore, you can travel to Omkareshwar via Indore from other Indian cities and towns by road, train, flight and bus.

PUNE TO OMKARESHWAR BY ROAD

There are two routes from Pune to Omkareshwar. One is via Ahmednagar, and the other is via Sinnar. Depending on your hometown, you can select the shorter road.

The road via Sinnar is 603 km and takes 12 hours, and the route via Ahmednagar is 636 km and takes 13 hours. Both are well-travelled routes and connect to national and state highways.

VIA SINNAR

Pune – Chakan – Rajgurunagar – Manchar – Narayangaon – Alephata – Sangamner – Sinnar – Niphad – Lasalgaon – Chandwad – Malegaon – Dhule – Songir – Shirpur – Sendhwa – Julwania – Khalghat – Kasrawad – Omkareshwar.

VIA AHMEDNAGAR

Pune – Shikrapur – Shirur – Ahmednagar – Shani Shingnapur – Gangapur – Manmad – Malegaon – Dhule – Songir – Shirpur – Sendhwa – Julwania – Khalghat – Kasrawad – Omkareshwar.

PUNE – OMKARESHWAR BY FLIGHT

The Indore airport is the nearest to Omkareshwar. You can board one of the direct flights from Pune to Indore. From Indore, take the bus or hire a taxi to take you to Omkareshwar.

Indore is a big city. The Indore airport is well-connected to other Indian cities and towns.

PUNE TO OMKARESHWAR BY TRAIN

Khandwa is the nearest train station to Omkareshwar. It is 72.9 km from Omkareshwar. There are two direct trains from Pune to Khandwa junction. From Khadwa, hire a taxi to Omkareshwar. However, Khandwa is a small town and finding a cab is difficult.

Most of the Indian cities don’t have direct trains to Omkareshwar. They stop at one of the nearby train stations. From there, you can hire a taxi to Omkareshwar.

PUNE – OMKARESHWAR BY BUS

There are no direct buses to Omkareshwar. Take the direct bus to Indore, then board another bus to Omkareshwar from Indore.

If you’re travelling from other Indian cities, you have to change a few buses to reach Indore. From Indore, catch another bus to Omkareshwar.

PLACES TO SEE IN OMKARESHWAR

This section of the Omkareshwar travel guide lists places and things to do in Omkareshwar.

Omkareshwar is mainly famous for the Omkareshwar jyotirlinga. Besides the shrine, there are other places to visit and things to do in Omkareshwar. They are-

• Mamleshwar temple
• Gaumukh Ghat
• Narmada Kaveri Sangam
• Shree Siddhanath Mandir

MAMLESHWAR TEMPLE

According to legend, Lord Shiva appeared before Vindhya in two forms- as Om and the other as a Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga is at the Mamleshwar temple. Therefore, it is half a jyotirlinga. The temple is known as Mamleshwar or Amleshwar. It means “Immortal Lord”.

A second legend states the Pandavas built the Shiva linga at Mamleshwar temple during their exile. Therefore, according to this tale, the Mamleshwar temple dates back to the Vedic times.

The Mamleshwar temple is a beautiful stone structure with a rising shikhara, a small mandap and a gabhargriha (inner sanctum). The inner sanctum houses the Shiva linga. It is a small linga surrounded by a snake. A small suspended Kalash continuously drips water on the linga performing an Abhishek.

Most devotees skip visiting Mamleshwar temple and go directly to Omkareshwar. Therefore, the darshan is free, and the line is short. I have already mentioned the darshan info above.

GAUMUKH GHAT

Gaumukh Ghat is on the banks of the Narmada River. According to legends, A small stream flows from the mountain. At the ghat is a stone carved into a cow’s mouth. The water flows through the cow’s mouth and joins the Narmada River. Hence, the name Gaumukh Ghat. It means cow’s mouth.

Boats dock at the Gaumukh Ghat to ferry devotees to the Omkareshwar temple or Omkareshwar Parikrama.

NARMADA KAVERI SANGAM

The Narmada and Kaveri rivers get separated before the Omkareshwar Dam. When they meet again, they form the Omkareshwar Parvat or Mandhata hill. After Omkareshwar, the two rivers meet again at the Narmada Kaveri Sangam.

The Narmada Kaveri Sangam is at one end of Mandhata hill. Devotees believe bathing here is sacred.

You can walk from Omkareshwar temple to the Sangam. But it is a long walk, and there is no proper path. Or take a boat. You can hire a boat to take you to the Sangam from Gaumukh Ghat or Mandhata Hill.

Visitors often opt for the Omkareshwar Parikrama. It means a circle around Mandhata Hill. Boats charge Rs. 200 per person for the Omkareshwar Parikrama. It takes 1½-2 hours. A single craft permits ten people onboard.

SHREE SIDDHANATH MANDIR

Shree Siddhanath Mandir worships Lord Shiva. This Brahminic-style temple belongs to the 13th century. It is a beautiful temple that overlooks the Narmada River. The temple has marvellous etchings and drawings. The elephant carvings are the temple’s main attraction.

The Siddhanath Mandir is on the other end of Mandhata Hill. There are other beautiful temples in the vicinity as well.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to visit Siddhanath Mandir. We undertook the Narmada Parikrama, which took longer than we expected. Thus, we were late for Omkareshwar temple darshan. It led to delays everywhere.

NOTE:- The temple is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR OMKARESHWAR

This section of the Omkareshwar travel guide lists nearby towns and cities worth visiting. They are-

• Maheshwar
• Indore
• Ujjain

MAHESHWAR

Nestled on the banks of the Narmada River is the ancient town of Maheshwar. It was the capital of the Maratha Holkar during Ahilyabai’s reign. The city has a long history, beautiful temples, architecture, nature and beauty. It is also well-known for the Maheshwari sari.

Maheshwar is 66 km from Omkareshwar. You can stop by Maheshwar en route to or from Omkareshwar.

The Ahilya Wada, Maheshwar Fort, Baneshwar temple, Maheshwar Ghat and Sahastradhara are a few sites in Maheshwar. You can explore the attraction in a day or two.

If you plan to visit Maheshwar, check out my Maheshwar travel guide.

INDORE

Indore is a well-liked city. It is 78 km from Omkareshwar. Most visitors stop in Indore for the night. However, Indore has a lot to offer. After Maheshwar, Indore was the capital of the Maratha Holkar. It has quite a lot of history, delicious street food, architecture, and museums.

Rajwada Palace, Bada Ganapati and Lal Bagh Palace are a few attractions in Indore. Besides this, Indore is well-known for its street food. Several places sell delicious samosas, kachoris, jalebis and other snacks. Recently, 56 Dukan opened. It is a street with 56 shops serving street foods such as samosas, momos, wraps, sandwiches, milkshakes, and more.

UJJAIN

Omkareshwar is one of the two Jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh. The second one is the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. Many visitors travel to Omkareshwar and Ujjain in one day. It is possible but hectic.

Besides the Mahakaleshwar temple, other beautiful and sacred shrines in the temple complex are worth visiting. Outside the temple complex is a wide corridor with giant statues of Shiva and other gods. It is a pretty site and worth a stroll.

WHERE TO STAY?

Omkareshwar is a small town and has limited accommodations. It is a pilgrim and receives thousands of devotees daily. Therefore, finding neat accommodations is difficult. Also, without re-booking, finding even a motel is impossible.

Omkareshwar has simple hotels and guesthouses providing basic facilities. They are affordable but nothing fancy.

I stayed at the Sarovar Portico in Indore. Indore has several luxurious and reputed hotels. They can be slightly expensive but worth it.

TRAVEL TIPS

• There is no strict dress code, but devotees should wear appropriate clothing. Men and women should cover their knees and shoulders before entering the temple.
• Most devotees visit Omkareshwar and Ujjain in one day. If crunched for time, do that. But if you want to enjoy both temples without being rushed, visit them separately.  
• There are long lines for both free and VIP darshan. So try to arrive early when crowds are less.  
• The Omkareshwar Parikrama takes 1½-2 hours. So, visit both Mamleshwar and Omkareshwar temples first. Later go on the Omkareshwar Parikrama. It will allow you to enjoy the boat ride and spend ample time at the Narmada Kaveri Sangam without rushing.  
• Don’t opt for an Abhishek at Omkareshwar temple. Glass protects the Shiva linga. So, there is no provision for performing an Abhishek. However, early morning, an abhishek is done with water. So don’t let the pandits fool you into paying extra. 

CONCLUSION

Omkareshwar is a beautiful place. When planning a visit to Omkareshwar, set aside ample time. Don’t rush and enjoy the town. I’ll conclude the Omkareshwar guide by summarising it. The Omkareshwar travel guide offers information on the Omkareshwar temple, darshan-related info, how to get there, where to stay, travel tips, places to see and things to do.

I hope the Omkareshwar travel guide was helpful, and if I missed something, let me know in the comments. Also, I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

Age is no barrier when it comes to travel.

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