Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar is a town and religious site in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It lies in Khandwa district on Mandhata, an island in the Narmada River that is roughly shaped like the sacred syllable Om. The town is best known for the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus.

The temple complex sits on the island and is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The sanctum houses a lingam representing Shiva in his Jyotirlinga form, surrounded by other shrines and ritual spaces. The site attracts thousands of devotees, especially during Maha Shivaratri and Kartik Purnima, when processions and riverfront activities are common.

Beyond the temple, Omkareshwar is linked to the Narmada river culture, with riverfront ghats and additional shrines that serve pilgrims. The Omkareshwar Dam, a hydroelectric project on the Narmada upstream of the town, creates a large reservoir and is a notable nearby landmark.

Transport connections include road and rail access to major cities in Madhya Pradesh and neighboring states, with the nearest major airport being Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore. The local economy is driven largely by pilgrimage-related tourism and related services, along with activities associated with the dam and river resources.