Omkareshwar Temple, Mandhata – The Temple

Omkareshwar Temple, Mandhata – The Temple

There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here, one dedicated to Omkareshwar located in the island and one to Mamaleshwar located on the south bank of Narmada River on the mainland. The Omkareshwar Temple is built in the Nagara style and is characterized by a lofty shikhara. A special feature of the location of Omkareshwar Temple is that the river Narmada branches into two and forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center.

The shape of the island resembles that of the visual representation of the Omkara sound, Om. The temple can be reached by ferry from the banks of the river. The temple is 5 storeyed each having a different deity. Omkareshwar temple has a grand Sabha Mandap (meeting or prayer hall) standing on about 60 huge brown stone pillar (14 feet high), elaborately carved with a curious frieze and fillet of satyr like figures. Many of them have broad shoulders and meditating foreheads.

Before entering the sanctum, one has to pass through two rooms. The unique feature of this Jyotirlinga is not situated below the usual Cupola (dome-like structure where temples keep the idols of Gods). Instead, it is present at the top of the temple. Moreover, the temple did not fix the Omkareshwar Linga to the ground. It is naturally present there with water surrounding it.

Mahakaleshwar Shrine is situated on the first floor of the Temple and it commands an excellent view of Narmada River. It also has a beautiful sculpture for River Narmada. Shrines of Siddnath, Gupteshwar and Dhwajeshwar are located on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th floor of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. There is a shrine for Annapurna and five-faced Ganapati in the temple.

There are three regular ‘Pujas’ in the temple. The morning one done by the temple trust, the middle one by the priest of Scindia state and the evening one by the priest of the Holkar state. The temple is always crowded with pilgrims, coming after a bath in the Narmada and with pots full of Narmada water, coconuts and articles of worship, many of them performing Abhishek or special worships through the priests.

Adi Shankara's Cave:

Omkareshwar is said to be the place where Sri Adi Sankara met his Guru Govindapada in a cave. This cave can be found even today just below the Shiva temple where an image of Adi Shankara has been installed.

Mamaleshwar Temple:

The other half of the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is present here. The Linga itself is popular as Amareshwar. The temple is small with a hall as well as a sanctum.  One can also perform the Linga Abhishekam themselves.