Omkareshwar Temple in of Madhya Pradesh

One of the 12 jyotirlings of Lord Shiva, Omkareshwar Temple is located an island in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. Cradled between the Vindhya hills to the north and Satpura hills to the south, the island called Mandhata or Shivapuri, appears in the form of sacred Hindu symbol ‘Om’.

It is believed there were 64 jyotirlings of which 12 are considered very sacred.Each of the 12 jyotirlings are considered a different manifestation of Shiva. The jyotirling shrines are places where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a fiery column of light.According to Hindu beliefs, the Shiv ling at Omakreshwar is made of two parts. One half is called Omkareshwar and the other Mamaleshwar or Amareshwar. The Omkareshwar temple is the main temple and is also called Omkar Mandhata temple.While parikrama, visitors also visit Amareshwar temple, the other half of the jyotirling. The temple is situated on the bank of Narmada river opposite the Omkareshwar temple.Pilgrims visit the island on large numbers. Number of visitors increases during the festival of Mahashivratri.