Shri Omkar Mandhata

About Shri Omkar Mandhata

Shri Omkar Mandhata is the temple that gives Omkareshwar its name and draws pilgrims to this stretch of the Narmada in large numbers through the year. It stands on an island roughly one mile long and half a mile wide, formed where the river forks and closes again. The temple was built in soft stone, and that pliable surface is the reason for the unusual delicacy of the work on it. The frieze figures on the upper portion are the most striking part of the carving. Verandahs encircle the shrine, their columns cut in circles, polygons and squares, and the stone roof above is intricately worked.

What to look for at the shrine

The upper friezes

The band of figures on the upper portion of the temple is the finest carving on the building. Because the stone is soft, the cutting is unusually fine and shallow. Look at it in slanting morning or late light, when the relief reads clearly.

The encircling verandahs

Verandahs run right around the shrine. Their columns are not uniform: some are turned in circles, others cut as polygons or left square. Walking the full circuit is the easiest way to see how the plan works.

The carved stone roof

The roof is stone, not plaster, and is worked over its surface rather than left plain. It is best seen from the open ground and steps on the approach rather than from directly below.

Planning your visit

The temple is on the island, reached from the mainland side of Omkareshwar. Darshan queues build up sharply on Mondays, during Shravan and on Shivratri, so an early start makes the difference between a short wait and a long one.

• Arrive soon after sunrise if you want an unhurried darshan.
• Footwear comes off before the temple, so carry socks for hot stone in summer.
• Leave bags and electronics with your driver or at a cloakroom rather than carrying them into the queue.
• Keep some time after darshan for the verandah circuit, which most visitors skip.

Best time to visit

October to March is the most comfortable season, with cool mornings and a full river. The monsoon makes the Narmada dramatic but the steps and ghats slippery. Summer is workable only in the early morning and after sunset, because the stone and the open approaches get very hot. Shravan and Mahashivratri bring the biggest crowds of the year, which is either the reason to come or the reason to avoid those dates.