Sthala Mahātmyam
Omkareshwar sits on the island of Mandhata in the Narmada river, its landmass shaped like the sacred syllable Om. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and the deity is closely paired with Amareshwar (Mamleshwar) on the river's opposite bank, the two often venerated together. One legend tells of Vindhya, deity of the Vindhya mountains, who worshipped a clay lingam here to expiate his pride; pleased, Shiva manifested in two forms, Omkareshwar and Amareshwar. Another recounts King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty, an ancestor of Rama, performing severe penance until Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlinga, giving the island its name. Among the Jyotirlingas the site is regarded as the vibrational heart-chakra, and the sacred Narmada parikrama passes through it. Maha Shivaratri and the whole of Shravan bring the temple alive with devotion, while Narmada Jayanti, honouring the river-goddess, is celebrated with river processions, special prayers and lamp offerings along the ghats.