Mamleshwar Temple, Omkareshwar

Getting there

• By air

  Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport at Indore is about 77 km away. Taxis run from Indore to Omkareshwar.

• By train

  Sanawad station is about 12 km away. Khandwa Junction, about 72 km away, has more express trains.

• By road

  Mortakka bus stand is about 12 km away, with buses to Indore, Ujjain, Khargone and Khandwa. Private taxis run from Indore and Khandwa.

Rules to know

• Wear clean, modest, traditional clothes.
• Leave footwear in the marked footwear area before you enter.
• Keep your phone on silent, and do not take calls or photos near the sanctum.
• Do not bring large bags or valuables, and give donations only at official counters.
• Smoking and intoxicants are banned in and around the temple.

Why devotees come here

Mamleshwar Temple, also called Amleshwar Mahadev, stands on the south bank of the Narmada at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the two temples of the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, and devotees see both. Darshan runs from 5 AM to 10 PM, with short breaks for aarti.

At Omkareshwar the Narmada splits around Mandhata island. The Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga stands on the island, and Mamleshwar stands on the mainland across the river, on the south bank. The temple committee calls them twin Jyotirlingas. For devotees, darshan at both temples is needed to complete the pilgrimage.

One legend tells of Vindhya, the deity of the Vindhya hills, who worshipped Shiva here with a linga of sand and clay. Pleased, Shiva appeared in two forms, as Omkareshwar and as Amaleshwar. The name Amaleshwar is read as ruler of the immortals.

Mamleshwar keeps a Parthiv Ling, a Shiva linga made of clay. The temple is in the Nagara style, with carved pillars, a tall shikhar and stone reliefs, and smaller shrines in the complex. Tradition says Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore helped repair and care for it in the 18th century.

Festivals

• Mondays of Shravan, July or AugustShravan Somvar Savari

  The Maha Savari procession goes out every Shravan Monday.

• February or MarchMaha Shivratri

  Special puja and prasad on Shiva's great night.

• January or FebruaryNarmada Jayanti

  Special puja for the river and prasad distribution.

• OctoberSharad Purnima

  Holy milk is given out as prasad.

• May or JuneGanga Dussehra

  Puja of Narmada Maiya, with halwa prasad.

Tips for your visit

• Plan time for both Mamleshwar and Omkareshwar, as devotees count the pilgrimage complete only after both.
• Shravan Mondays and Maha Shivratri bring the biggest crowds, so pick another day for an elderly parent.
• The Omkareshwar temple trust lends free wheelchairs at the Yatri Suvidha Kendra near Jhula Pul, for up to 2 hours.
• Omkar Prasadalaya near Mamleshwar Setu serves vegetarian lunch from 12 to 2 PM and khichdi from 7 to 10 PM.

Questions people ask