Quick answer: Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga stands on Mandhata island in the Narmada, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, about 77 km (2 to 2.5 hours) from Indore. Darshan runs about 5 am to 10:30 pm with breaks for bhog and shringar; Mangal aarti is at 4:30 am and Shayan aarti at 9:30 pm. Regular darshan is free; a paid Shighra darshan is booked on shriomkareshwar.org.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Omkareshwar is the Jyotirlinga on an island. The Narmada divides around a hill so that, seen from above, the land is said to take the shape of ॐ. The temple of Omkareshwar stands on the island, and Mamleshwar faces it from the south bank; many devotees hold that darshan is complete only after both. This guide gives the official daily timings, how Shighra darshan works, crossing to the island, the parikrama, and how to pair Omkareshwar with Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain.
What is the legend of Omkareshwar?
The Shiva Purana gives more than one story. In one, the Vindhya mountain, wishing to be as great as Meru, did severe tapasya to Bhagwan Shiva here. Shiva appeared and stayed as Omkareshwar, and the linga is believed to have divided into two: Omkareshwar on the island and Amareshwar (Mamleshwar) on the bank. In another, King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku line, an ancestor of Shri Ram, worshipped Shiva on this hill, which is why the island carries his name.
A charming belief holds that Shiva and Parvati come to Omkareshwar every night to rest and play chaupar, so a chaupar board is laid out in the sanctum after the Shayan aarti. Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have met his guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada, in a cave on this island, and in September 2023 a 108-foot statue of the young Shankaracharya, the Statue of Oneness, was unveiled on the Mandhata hilltop as part of the Ekatma Dham project.
Omkareshwar darshan and aarti timings (official schedule)
| Time | Ritual | Darshan open? |
|---|---|---|
| 4:30 to 5:00 am | Mangal aarti and bhog | No (aarti only) |
| 5:00 am to 12:20 pm | Morning darshan | Yes |
| 12:20 to 1:15 pm | Madhyanha bhog | No |
| 1:15 to 4:00 pm | Afternoon darshan | Yes |
| 4:00 to 4:30 pm | Evening shringar | No |
| 4:30 to 9:30 pm | Shringar darshan | Yes |
| 9:30 to 10:00 pm | Shayan aarti | No (aarti only) |
| 10:00 to 10:30 pm | Shayan darshan | Yes |
This is the schedule published by the temple trust. Timings change on Mahashivratri, Shravan Mondays and other festival days, so confirm on the day.
How to book Shighra darshan at Omkareshwar
- Go to the official trust website, shriomkareshwar.org, and open Booking, then Shighra Darshan. The trust also sells it at the temple.
- Choose the date and time slot. The ticket is valid only for that slot and not during bhog or shringar breaks.
- Enter each visitor’s details and a photo ID number (Aadhaar or passport), then pay online. Do not refresh the page during payment.
- Print the ticket and carry the same ID. Reports say ticket holders collect a wristband before entering.
Regular darshan is free and does not need booking. Shighra tickets are non-refundable; the trust allows one reschedule through its helpline before the booked date. Use only the official site.
Dress code and rules
- The trust says there is no official dress code. Modest, comfortable clothes are recommended, and Indian dress feels right on the ghats.
- Wear footwear you can leave easily; the walk across the bridge and up the steps is barefoot near the temple.
- Monkeys are common on the island. Keep prasad, phones and spectacles out of reach.
- Narmada snan is done at the ghats; follow lifeguard flags when the river is high in the monsoon.
Crossing to the island and the parikrama
From the south bank (where Mamleshwar and most hotels are), two footbridges cross the Narmada: the Mamleshwar Setu, a suspension bridge of about 235 metres leading straight to the temple side, and an older bridge of about 200 metres. Small motorboats also cross and give a lovely view of the ghats, but the bridge is quicker if darshan is your priority.
The Omkar parikrama around Mandhata island is about 7 km and takes 2.5 to 4 hours on foot. It passes Rinmukteshwar, Gauri Somnath, Siddhanath with its carved elephant frieze, and the Sangam where the Kaveri stream rejoins the Narmada. Start at dawn and carry water. It is optional; elderly yatris can take darshan and rest on the ghats.
How to reach Omkareshwar
| From | Distance | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indore (airport and city) | About 77 to 80 km | 2 to 2.5 hours | Most common gateway |
| Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar) | About 140 km | 3.5 to 4 hours | Via Indore |
| Khandwa Junction | About 70 to 75 km | 2 hours | On the Mumbai–Itarsi line; good for trains from Mumbai and the south |
| Omkareshwar Road station (Mortakka) | About 12 km | 20 minutes | Few trains; check current services |
| Maheshwar | About 65 km | 1.5 hours | Ahilyabai’s ghats on the Narmada |
Best time to visit Omkareshwar
October to March is pleasant for walking the ghats and the parikrama. April to June is very hot. In the monsoon the Narmada runs full, which is beautiful, but boats may be stopped and some ghats closed when dam gates upstream are opened. The busiest days are Shravan Mondays, Mahashivratri (6 March 2027 by the panchang), Kartik Purnima and Narmada Jayanti in January or February.
Nearby tirthas
- Mamleshwar (Amaleshwar): on the south bank, an old stone temple with a cluster of small shrines; customary with Omkareshwar darshan.
- Ekatma Dham and the Statue of Oneness: on the hilltop of the island.
- Siddhanath and Gauri Somnath: on the parikrama path.
- Narmada ghats: evening aarti and deep-daan (floating lamps).
- Maheshwar: temples and ghats built by Ahilyabai Holkar, a good half-day addition.
- Khajrana Ganesh, Indore: a much-loved Ganesh temple on the way to or from the airport.
Combining Omkareshwar with other Jyotirlingas
The obvious pair is Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain. A 3-day plan from Indore covers both comfortably, with one night at each. From Omkareshwar the road continues south to Maharashtra, so families with more time can carry on to Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar and Bhimashankar, finishing in Pune. Our 12 Jyotirlinga list shows the full regional plan.
| Plan | Covers | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Omkareshwar day visit from Indore | Omkareshwar, Mamleshwar | 1 long day |
| Malwa pair | Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar | 3 days |
| Panch Jyotirlinga | Malwa pair plus the three of Maharashtra | About 11 days |
How we can help
Our Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga yatra (2 nights, 3 days, Indore pickup, from ₹17,000 per person) gives you a night in Ujjain for Mahakal and a night on the Narmada, so you see the evening ghat aarti and take an early darshan before the day buses arrive. The Mahakaleshwar yatra (from ₹16,500 per person) instead keeps you in Ujjain with Omkareshwar as a day visit. For five Jyotirlingas, see the Panch Jyotirlinga Yatra. All options are on our Jyotirlinga yatra page. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What are the Omkareshwar temple timings?
According to the temple trust, Mangal aarti is at 4:30 am and darshan runs from 5 am to 12:20 pm, 1:15 pm to 4 pm, and 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm, with the Shayan aarti from 9:30 to 10 pm. Darshan pauses for bhog at midday and shringar in the late afternoon. Festival days can change the schedule.
Is online booking needed for Omkareshwar darshan?
No. Regular darshan is free and needs no booking. The optional paid Shighra darshan, which uses a faster line in a fixed time slot, can be booked on the official trust website, shriomkareshwar.org, or at the temple. Carry a printed ticket and the photo ID you entered. Tickets are non-refundable.
Why must we visit both Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar?
Tradition holds that the Jyotirlinga manifested in two parts: Omkareshwar on Mandhata island and Amareshwar, now called Mamleshwar, on the south bank of the Narmada. Many devotees therefore consider the darshan complete only after both. They are a short walk apart across the footbridge, so both fit easily into one morning.
How far is Omkareshwar from Indore and Ujjain?
About 77 to 80 km from Indore, which takes 2 to 2.5 hours by road, and about 140 km from Ujjain, 3.5 to 4 hours via Indore. Indore has the nearest airport and the most trains. Khandwa Junction, about 70 km away, is convenient for trains from Mumbai and south India.
How long is the Omkareshwar parikrama?
The parikrama around Mandhata island is about 7 km and takes 2.5 to 4 hours on foot, with some steep, uneven sections. It passes Rinmukteshwar, Gauri Somnath, Siddhanath and the Narmada–Kaveri Sangam. It is optional, best started at dawn, and not advised for those with knee or heart problems.
Is there a dress code at Omkareshwar?
The temple trust says there is no official dress code. Modest, comfortable clothing is recommended. Since you will walk across a bridge and climb some steps barefoot near the temple, light clothes and easy footwear help. Keep spectacles and bags secure, as monkeys on the island snatch belongings.
Can we do Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar in one day?
It is possible but tiring: about 7 to 8 hours of driving plus two queues. Most families do better with two or three days, sleeping one night in Ujjain and one at Omkareshwar, which also allows the evening Narmada aarti and an early, quiet darshan on the island.
What is the Statue of Oneness at Omkareshwar?
It is a 108-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya as a boy, unveiled in September 2023 on the hilltop of Mandhata island as part of the Ekatma Dham project. Tradition says the young Shankara met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada at Omkareshwar. Many yatris now include the hilltop in their visit.