Located on the island of Mandhata, next to the banks of Narmada River, Omkareshwar is a famous pilgrimage centre that that includes one of the 12 idolized Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
The name Omkareshwar means 'Lord of Omkaara', which is one of the Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines or the 12 shrines dedicated to lord Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam.
It's a sacred island which is shaped like the Hindu symbols 'OM', drawing millions of travellers from all across the globe. It has two ancient shrines includes Omkareshwar and Amarkareshwar or Mamleshwar.
Mamleshwar jyotirlinga
Built in the Nagara style, the Omkareshwar temple is featured by an eminent Shikhara.
One of the temple shrines
Mythological significance
As per Hindu legend, Vindya, the deity controlling the Vindyachal mountain range was worshipping Shiva to propitiate himself from the sins committed. He created a sacred geometrical diagram and a lingam made of sand and clay. Shiva was pleased with the worship and believed to have appeared in two forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleswara. Since the mud mound appeared in the form of Om,the island came to be known as Omkareshwar.
The another story from Hindu scriptures says that once upon a time there was a great war between Devas (gods) and Danavas (demons), in which Danavas won. This was a major setback for Devas and hence Devas prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with their prayer, Lord Shiva emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated Danavas.
View of Narmada
If you're here you must take a Parikrama around the island as it is considered to be very religious and you'll feel relax and peace a here.Omkareshwar Temple, one of the famous holy places in the whole of India which is situated on the Mandhata Island and at the meeting point of Narmada and Kaveri Rivers. You'll get charmed by the stunning architecture and striking mural paintings & carvings of the place.
History:
When the Mughal emperor and Mahmud Gazni attacked several Hindu temples in the 11th century, Omkareshwar temple was one of them but it luckily stay alive in the attack and later it became one of the most popular holy places for Hindu pilgrims
Other notable shrines of Omkareshwar include Mamaleshwar temple, Satmatrika temples, Ranmukteshwar temple, Gauri Somnath temple, Kedareshwar temple, and many more.
One should visit this Holy place and feel the inner peace.