According to a popular story of Omkareshwar Mandhata situated on the middle island of river Narmada – once sage Narada visited Vindhyachal Parvat and went ahead telling about the greatness and height of Mount Meru in order to end Vindhya's ego. Vindhyachal was jealous and prayed to Lord Shiva to grow even bigger. Shankar ji granted Vindhya his desired boon. Shiva made two parts of Omkareshwar Lingam. One half was Omkareshwar and the other was Mamleshwar or Amaleshwar, but even after having two forms of Shivling, both are counted in the same way.
Another story is that Omkareshwar Mahadev himself appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga after being pleased by the penance of Ambareesh and Muchukunda, son of King Mandhata of the Ikshvaku dynasty. That's why this Jyotirlinga is called Mandhata.
Some people say that there was a fierce battle between the Devas and the Danavas (demons), which was won by the demons. After a great defeat the Devas prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with his prayer, Shiva appeared in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated the demons.
The specialty of the Omkareshwar temple is a lofty (high) shikhara built in the Nagara style. There are also temples of Goddess Annapurna and Lord Ganesha. Omkareshwar Linga is not sculpted, carved or made from the ground, but it is a natural Shivling, always filled with water around it. The significance of this linga is that it is not situated under any dome. The statue of Lord Shiva is situated at the top of the temple. The temple can be reached by ferry from the bank of the river.

Service and worship: On Monday, the five-faced gold idol of Omkareshwar is taken to Jal Vihar.
Gupt Aarti at 5.30 PM, Noon Aarti at 12.30 PM, Evening Aarti at 8.30 PM, Closing time at 10 PM

Celebration:
Kartik Utsav lasting 10 days Festivals and fairs are organized in the month of Kartik.
It is considered best to bathe in Narmada during Somvati Amavasya.
 Special worship is done on Maha Shivratri. It is believed that the marriage of Shiva and Parvati took place on the day of Maha Shivratri.
The birth festival of Narmada is celebrated as Mother Narmada Jayanti. The island and the hill are decorated with thousands of lamps which are lit in the evening after the Narmada aarti, a procession, followed by fireworks.
Devotees come for darshan and bath on Bhootadi Amavasya.

Best time to visit: November to February

Interesting Facts: The Omkareshwar temple is situated on an island which is named Omkareshwar because of its resemblance to the sacred Hindu symbol Pranakakshar Om.

Nearby Places:
Rinmukteshwar: Devotees offer lentils of Malka Masoor to Lord Shiva to get rid of their debts.
Gauri Somnath Temple Lal Mandir is made of sandstone, which is famous for its huge 6 feet black colored linga.
Omkar Mandhata Temple: This temple is the stronghold of Omkareshwar.