Omkareshwar (IAST: Ōṃkārēśvar) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Mandhata, nearby Khandwa city in Khandwa district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata, near Khandwa city in the Narmada river at Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh, India; the shape of the island is said to be like the Devanagari ॐ symbol.
There are two main temples of Shiva here, one to Omkareshwar (whose name means “Lord of Omkara or the Lord of the Om sound”) located in the island and one to Mamleshwar (Amaleshwar) (whose name means “Immortal Lord” or “lord of the Immortals or Devas”) located on the southern bank of the Narmada River on the mainland.
Madhya Pradesh has two Jyotirlingas, the second one, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, is situated about 140 km north of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga.
About Mandhata
Mandhata, also called Omkareshwar or Shivapuri and ancient Mahishmati, capital of Avanti Mahajanpada is a riverine island in the Narmada river in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is situated on the southern part of the island. Omkareshwar Mandhata is located on the Mandhata hill on the banks of the Narmada.
The name “Omkareshwar” is due to the shape of the island, which appears to be Om. It is about two km (1.2 mi) long and 1 km (0.62 mi) wide. Local tradition reveals that King Mandhata paid homage to Shiva here and made this holy place his capital.
This place is situated at a distance of about 10 km from Omkareshwar Road railway station on Akola–Ratlam rail line.
