Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple – Darshan Timing and Full Details

Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is located on Mandhata island in the sacred Narmada River, in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The island is naturally shaped in the form of the holy symbol ‘Om’, which gives the temple its name and is one of the many reasons people believe this land carries a special energy. This is not an ordinary temple for prayer. Omkareshwar is one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the two jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh, the other being Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain.

Planning Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Darshan?

Compare sedan, SUV and group-travel options for your pilgrimage. Request a quote based on your pickup location, travel date, vehicle and return plan.

Check Taxi Fare Explore Cab Booking

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Pilgrims come here in search of peace, and on Mondays you can see long rows of devotees waiting for darshan while temple bells ring across the water. Darshan timings, Shighra Darshan booking, the Mamleshwar connection, the parikrama route and the road distance from Indore are a few things that’d save you a lot of trouble if you know them beforehand. Our drivers cover the Indore to Omkareshwar route regularly, and the parking, queue and ghat tips shared here come from their trips.

Where Is Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Located

Omkareshwar is a temple town of its own in Khandwa district, not a part of Ujjain or Indore city. The Narmada splits into two channels here and forms Mandhata (Shivpuri) island, 4 km long and 2 km wide. The main temple is on this island, and Mamleshwar Temple faces it from the southern bank.

Many travellers look for Omkareshwar temple Ujjain because both jyotirlingas are visited on one trip. Ujjain is 140 km away by road, so plan Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar as two separate stops.

History and Structure of Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

The walls of the Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple echo with ancient tales. One of the most popular is about King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who prayed here with deep devotion. Pleased with his sincerity, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of light and blessed the land. That is how the temple came to be known as “Omkareshwar”, which means “Lord of Om.”

Omkareshwar temple history has no authentic record of who first built the shrine. The 18th century rebuilding began under Gautama Bai Holkar and was completed by her daughter-in-law, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.

The temple stands above stone steps in the North Indian Nagara style. Its sabha mandap rests on 60 massive stone pillars, and five floors rise above the sanctum with shrines of Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar, Siddhnath, Gupteshwar and a Dhwajadhari shrine at the top. Look closely and you’ll notice the jyotirlinga is not directly below the main spire, because the older sanctum faces north while the newer front portion faces south.

Devotees also call it Shree Omkareshwar Mahadev Mandir or simply Omkareshwar temple MP. Three pujas are held here every day. The Temple Trust performs the morning puja, Scindia family priests handle the afternoon puja and Holkar family priests perform the evening one.

A jyotirlinga is more than a statue. The word “jyoti” means light and “linga” means symbol, and together they represent the infinite light of Shiva. During aarti, the Omkareshwar Mahadev Mandir fills with shlokas, conch shells, brass bells and the smell of camphor.

Omkareshwar Mamleshwar Jyotirlinga Explained

First-time visitors get confused about which is the original Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. The Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram names it “Omkaram Amaleshwaram”, and that is why the temple trust treats Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar (Amaleshwar) as two forms of one jyotirlinga. A Puranic legend says the Vindhya mountain worshipped Shiva here, and the lingam later divided into these two forms.

Local priests will tell you that the yatra is complete only after darshan at both temples.

Mamleshwar to Omkareshwar Walking Route

Two footbridges connect the temples. Mamleshwar Setu is a 235 m suspension bridge built in 2004, and it lands right at the main temple gate. The Old Bridge, 200 m long, opened in 1979 and joins both parts of the town. Mamleshwar Setu was shut for cable repairs in June 2026, so ask your driver or the ghat staff which bridge is open on the day of your visit.

Omkareshwar Temple Timings 2026

These are the official Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga darshan timings shared by the temple trust. Darshan pauses during each aarti and shringar.

Hours change on Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri. On weekdays, we suggest the 1:15 PM to 4:00 PM slot, after the morning rush has cleared and before the evening crowd arrives.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Darshan and Online Booking

General darshan is free and needs no booking. If you’re short on time or travelling with elderly parents, the paid Shighra Darshan saves you from the long general queue.

How to Book Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Online

1. Open shriomkareshwar.org and select Shighra Darshan.
2. Pick your date and a 2-hour time slot.
3. Enter each devotee’s name and mobile number without special characters.
4. Pay online, and don’t refresh or press back during payment.
5. Print the ticket and carry it with an Aadhaar card or another photo ID.

Tickets are non-refundable, but one reschedule is allowed before the booked date through the helpline. Family members who can’t travel can watch the Omkareshwar live darshan on the temple website.

Top Things To Do in Omkareshwar Temple

The majority of visitors come for darshan. You walk into the sanctum, see the Jyotirlinga with your own eyes, and the priests put sacred ash on your forehead.

Boat Ride Around the Island

A slow boat gives you a view of the whole island, with the spire rising above the ghats and the Mandhata hills behind it. Boatmen at Nagar Ghat charge per boat, so settle the fare before you board and wear the life jacket they hand you.

River Rituals and Aarti

Small platforms on the ghats are set up for rituals, where devotees light lamps, offer fruit and chant with their priest. Many drop flowers into the Narmada as an offering. Plan your day around Mangal Aarti at 4:30 AM or Shayan Aarti at 9:30 PM, when the sound of conch shells carries across the water to Mamleshwar Setu.

Omkareshwar Temple Parikrama Route Map

The Omkareshwar parikrama is a 7 km walk around Mandhata island on stone paths, steps and ghats, past old shrines and quiet caves. Plan 3 to 4 hours with temple stops, and in summer, try to start before 7 AM. These are the main stops on the path.

• Gauri Somnath Temple, with its large black stone Shiva linga
• Siddhnath Temple, known for the carved stone elephants on its base
• Satmatrika temples, a group of shrines to the seven mother goddesses
• Ranmukteshwar Temple
• The Narmada and Kaveri sangam at the tip of the island

The hill side of the path has steep steps. For elderly travellers, we recommend a short walk near the main temple and a boat ride for the river view instead.

Festivals Celebrated at Omkareshwar Temple

Omkareshwar Temple Jyotirlinga celebrates Maha Shivratri with great devotion. Devotees stay awake all night chanting the name of Lord Shiva, while priests perform special pujas until morning.

In the month of Shravan, many people walk long distances to reach the temple. Every Monday, a golden palanquin carrying the three-faced idol of Omkareshwar is taken out in procession, and the Shravan Monday sawari is the grandest of the year.

During times like these, it can be a challenge to find a cab or a place to stay. That’s why it is better to book early with Chiku Cab.

Places to Visit near Omkareshwar Temple

Most temples near Omkareshwar mandir are within walking distance, and a few bigger stops need a cab.

Ekatma Dham and the Statue of Oneness

The 108 ft multi-metal statue of Adi Shankaracharya was unveiled on Mandhata Parvat on 21 September 2023. Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have met his guru, Govind Bhagavatpada, at Omkareshwar. The complex also has the Advaita Lok museum, so check the visiting hours on oneness.org.in before you go.

How to Reach Omkareshwar Temple from Major Cities

The Omkareshwar Temple MP is well connected by road, and the easiest way to reach it is by cab from Indore.

From Indore

Omkareshwar is the closest jyotirlinga temple near Indore, and the 80 km drive takes 2.5 hours on NH-347BG. The ghat section after Simrol has sharp bends, so we recommend leaving Indore by 6 AM to reach before the morning queue builds up.

From Ujjain

Many travellers finish Bhasma Aarti in Ujjain first and leave for Omkareshwar after breakfast. Read our Mahakaleshwar Temple guide for darshan and aarti details before you plan the route.

By Train and Air

Omkareshwar Road (OM) station at Mortakka is 12 km away, but its line is under gauge conversion with a target date of March 2028, so trains are limited. For regular trains, get down at Indore Junction or Khandwa Junction. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest airport, and many pilgrims book an airport taxi straight to the temple.

Omkareshwar Taxi Fare

We provide sedans, SUVs and tempo travellers for Omkareshwar darshan, and you can choose any of them as per your group size.

Toll tax, parking and state tax are extra. Driver night charge is ₹250 for a sedan, ₹300 for an SUV and ₹500 for a tempo traveller. Bigger families can book an Innova Crysta for Omkareshwar or a tempo traveller in Omkareshwar. Apart from that, you can also add stops at Maheshwar, Ujjain or Hanuwantiya.

1 Day Omkareshwar Trip Plan from Indore

With two days, spend the first in Ujjain using our guide to places to visit in Ujjain, then drive 140 km to Omkareshwar on day two.

Where to Stay During Your Omkareshwar Visit

There are lots of accommodation choices near Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. The temple trust manages Shri Ji Vishramalaya, and its rooms can be booked on the official website. For private rooms, the trust suggests Bhakt Niwas or Hotel Temple View.

Small family guest houses near the temple gates are simple and clean, and a few serve hot roti, dal and rice with the room. Rooms fill quickly in Shravan and Shivratri, so it is wise to book early. If you travel with Chiku Cab, your driver can point you to a trusted guest house close to the ghats.

Local Food to Try Near the Temple

In the morning, try hot poha with a sprinkle of jeeravan masala from the stalls around Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple. For something filling, dal bafla is the dish of this part of Madhya Pradesh. Omkar Prasadalaya, managed by the temple trust, serves meals from 10 AM to 3 PM and khichdi from 5 PM to 9 PM at a nominal cost. Also, don’t miss the tea stalls on the ghat after your boat ride.

Omkareshwar Temple Rules and Expert Travel Tips

• Try to arrive early in the morning, when it’s cooler and the queue is shorter.
• Shoes are not allowed in the temple area, so leave them at the stands near the gate.
• There is no official dress code, but modest traditional clothes are recommended.
• Photography is restricted inside the sanctum. Take your Omkareshwar temple photos from the ghats or the bridge.
• Your printed Shighra Darshan ticket and photo ID are checked at the gate.
• Steps down to the river get slippery, so move slowly.
• In monsoon, the dam gates open after heavy rain and the river rises fast. Stay out of the water when warning sirens sound.

Best Time to Visit Omkareshwar Temple

The Omkareshwar Temple MP stays open throughout the year, but some months bring better weather and fewer crowds.

Why Omkareshwar Temple Is Perfect for a Family Trip

Little ones enjoy the boat ride around the holy island, while older family members find peace in the ringing bells and soft chanting. Stalls near the main gate sell water, fruit and packed prasad, with washrooms and resting spots close by. Travelling by cab means no squeezing into a crowded bus and more space for luggage.

Plan Your Trip with Chiku Cab

The right cab makes your trip to Omkareshwar easy. Chikucab.com provides cabs to the temple from Indore, Ujjain, Khandwa and nearby towns.

Our drivers know the route through the Simrol ghat, where to park and when to leave to beat the darshan queue.

You take care of the prayers, and we take care of the drive. Fare starts from ₹10/km for a sedan on the Indore to Omkareshwar route.

FAQs About Shri Omkareshwar Temple

1. Where is Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple located in India?

Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is in Madhya Pradesh, on Mandhata island in the Narmada River. The town comes under Khandwa district and is 80 km by road from Indore. People sometimes place it in Ujjain or Indore, but Omkareshwar is a separate temple town.

2. Why is Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple famous among Hindu devotees?

It is one of Lord Shiva’s 12 jyotirlingas, and the island it stands on has the natural outline of the ‘Om’ symbol. Devotees also come for Mamleshwar darshan across the river, the 7 km parikrama and a holy dip in the Narmada. The Monday palanquin procession of Omkareshwar Mahadev brings in big crowds, especially in Shravan.

3. What is the religious significance of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

Devotees believe Lord Shiva appeared here as divine light after King Mandhata’s penance, and the name itself means “Lord of Om.” The jyotirlinga represents the endless light of Shiva. Since the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram names Omkareshwar together with Amaleshwar, pilgrims treat both temples as one sacred darshan.

4. Is Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India?

Yes. Omkareshwar is the fourth name in the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram and one of the two jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh. The other is Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, 140 km away.

5. What are the opening and closing timings of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

The temple opens at 4:30 AM with Mangal Aarti, and darshan begins at 5:00 AM. Shayan Darshan, the last of the day, ends at 10:30 PM. Darshan pauses for Madhyanha Bhog (12:20 PM to 1:15 PM), evening shringar (4:00 PM to 4:30 PM) and Shayan Aarti (9:30 PM to 10:00 PM). Hours change on Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri.

6. What is the best time to visit Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

October to February brings cool weather, so darshan and the parikrama walk are easier for kids and elderly parents. From March to June, the stone steps get hot by noon, and early mornings work better. Shravan and Mahashivratri are the most devotional days of the year, but expect long queues and book your cab and room in advance.

7. How can I reach Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple from Indore?

Road travel is the easiest option. Omkareshwar is 80 km from Indore, and the drive takes 2.5 hours on NH-347BG via Simrol, Barwaha and Mortakka. We cover the Indore to Omkareshwar route regularly, and our drivers know the sharp bends of the Simrol ghat. Fare starts from ₹10/km for a sedan.

8. What is the nearest railway station to Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

Omkareshwar Road (OM) at Mortakka is the closest station, 12 km from the temple. Its line is under gauge conversion with a March 2028 target, so very few trains stop there right now. For regular trains, book till Indore Junction (80 km) or Khandwa Junction (70 km) and continue by cab.

9. Which airport is nearest to Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest, 80 km by road. You can book an airport taxi from the arrival gate and reach the temple in 2.5 hours.

10. Is there an entry fee for Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple darshan?

No. General darshan is free and needs no ticket. If you want a shorter queue, Shighra Darshan costs ₹300 per person for a 2-hour time slot.

11. How can I book Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple darshan tickets online?

Go to shriomkareshwar.org, choose Shighra Darshan, pick a date and time slot, add each devotee’s details and pay online. Keep a printout of the ticket and a photo ID for the gate check. Bookings are non-refundable, but the helpline (8989998686) allows one reschedule before your date.

12. What is the dress code for visiting Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

The temple trust has not set any fixed dress code. Simple, modest clothes are recommended, and traditional wear is expected at Mamleshwar. Shoes stay outside the temple area.

13. How much time is required for darshan at Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

Shighra Darshan tickets come with a 2-hour slot. The general queue moves slowest on Mondays, in Shravan and on Mahashivratri, while the 1:15 PM to 4:00 PM window on weekdays is quicker. Keep half a day if you plan Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar darshan together.

14. Can devotees perform Jal Abhishek at Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

Yes. Devotees can offer water inside the garbhagriha, but touching the Shivling is not allowed. For a full Jalabhishek, temple priests perform it in the Sabhamandap for ₹2,100 (2 persons), with prasad and Shighra Darshan included. Book it one day ahead, as the puja is held between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

15. What is the significance of the Mamleshwar Temple near Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga?

Mamleshwar, also called Amaleshwar, is treated as the second form of the same jyotirlinga. As per the temple trust, the jyotirlinga is worshipped at Omkareshwar on the island, while the physical lingam is at Mamleshwar on the southern bank. Local priests consider the yatra complete only after darshan at both.

16. Can devotees visit Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar temples on the same day?

Yes. Two footbridges join the temples, Mamleshwar Setu (235 m) and the Old Bridge (200 m), and the walk is short. Mamleshwar is open for darshan from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Mamleshwar Setu was closed for cable repairs in June 2026, so check which bridge is open when you arrive.

17. What are the major festivals celebrated at Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?

Maha Shivratri brings all-night prayers and special pujas till sunrise. In Shravan, devotees walk long distances to the temple, and the Monday sawari of the three-faced Omkareshwar idol in a golden palanquin is the biggest event of the month. Cabs and rooms get booked out fast on these dates.

18. What is the significance of the Narmada River and Omkareshwar Parikrama?

The Narmada splits around Mandhata island and gives it the ‘Om’ outline, so the river is part of the temple’s identity. Pilgrims take a holy dip at Nagar Ghat and float flowers as an offering. The 7 km parikrama circles the island past Gauri Somnath, Siddhnath, the Satmatrika temples and the Narmada and Kaveri sangam, and devotees see it as walking around the ‘Om’ itself.

19. Are hotels, restaurants, parking, and boat services available near Omkareshwar Temple?

Yes. The temple trust’s Shri Ji Vishramalaya can be booked online, and Bhakt Niwas, Hotel Temple View and family guest houses are close to the gates. Omkar Prasadalaya serves meals from 10 AM to 3 PM, and stalls sell poha and dal bafla. The trust has parking facilities, and boatmen at Nagar Ghat take you around the island, so fix the boat fare before you board.

20. Can I plan a one-day trip to Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga from Indore or Ujjain?

Yes. From Indore, leave by 6:00 AM, finish both darshans and a boat ride, and drive back the same evening. Ujjain is 140 km away via Indore, so a same-day trip from there needs an early start, or you can split Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar over two days. We cover both routes regularly, with Innova Crysta at ₹18/km for families.

Related Guides and Cab Services from Chiku Cab

Most Omkareshwar trips start in Indore or Ujjain. These guides and booking pages cover groups, the return drive and the festival rush.

• Group trips. Book an Indore to Omkareshwar tempo traveller or an Ujjain to Omkareshwar tempo traveller for larger families.
• Return drive. Book an Omkareshwar to Indore cab for a one-way drop back to the city or the airport.
• Shivratri visit. First time at the festival? Read our Maha Shivratri guide for first-time visitors to Omkareshwar.
• Mahakal next. Heading to Ujjain after Omkareshwar? Our Indore to Ujjain road trip guide covers the highway and stops.

Abhishek Singh

I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.