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The Siddhanath Temple is architecturally one of the most visually stunning monuments in the whole of Omkareshwar and is a protected ancient structure. This temple is reckoned as the most charismatic architectural beauty of the town. It is a preserved ancient structure which is situated on a small plateau on the Mandhata Island.
Visitor information
Timings: the best time to visit the temple is between 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Entry fee: one need not pay any ticket price for entry into this sacred temple.
History & mythology
There are quite a few mythical stories and legends attached to the history and origination of Omkareshwar. The first one goes to say that Vindhya- the deity controlling the vindhyachal mountain ranges was worshipping lord shiva to cleanse his soul of the sins committed by him. He made a lingam of sand and clay. Impressed by the devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in two forms before him as Omkareshwar and Amkareshwar.
The second legend suggests that an ancestor of lord ram- king Mandhata, worshipped lord shiva to the extent that the god appeared and manifested himself in the form of jyotirlinga. Another Hindu myth says that once during the ancient times, there was a war between devas (gods) and danavas (demons), in which the Devas lost the battle to the danavas.
Disappointed by the failure, devas prayed to lord shiva, who impressed by their faith and devotion, appeared in the form of jyotirlinga and defeated the danavas.
The architecture of Siddhanath temple
The detailed carvings on the pillars and walls of the temple represent its spiritual value, as well as, rich architecture. With its exceptional architectural elegance, it is counted up among the major Omkareshwar tourist spots.
Siddhanath temple is a classical depiction of the Brahmic architecture and a major tourist attraction. The paintings of elephants are the supremely imperative lure of the temple. These murals of the elephants are engraved over stone 1.5 m in height. Looking up to the rooftop of the caves displaces artistic magic. It is set on top of the island, 200m northeast of Omkar Mandhata temple with almost 170 steps cutting upside the hill.
Best time to visit
October to March is supposed to be the best time to visit elegant sculpted Siddhanath Temple, Omkareshwar. However, you can also visit during the monsoons as rains are mostly average here. The town is also very attractive during the festive season of Dussehra and if possible, you should visit this place during that time to see the illuminated town.
How to reach Siddhanatha temple in Omkareshwar?
By flight
There is no airport in Omkareshwar. However, air passengers can take the flight to Devi Ahilya bai Holkar Airport in Indore which is located 77 km from Omkareshwar. Another closest airport is in Bhopal. Private cabs and radio taxis are easily available from the airports to reach the desired destination.
By road
The nearest bus stand is located 48 km from Omkareshwar. The next major bus stop is at Khandwa at a distance of 73 km. Tourists can also board direct buses from Ujjain, Indore, Bhopal and other cities. Seats in Madhya Pradesh state road transport corporation (MPrtc) buses and private buses can be booked online.
The temple is located at a distance of 1.8 km from the bus stand.
By train
Omkareshwar, fortunately, has its railhead. Many trains run from different cities to reach Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. The station is on the Akola-Ratlam railway line.
Other places to visit near Omkareshwar
• Omkareshwar jyotirlinga temple- this is one of the holiest shrines in MP. The omkareshwar or omkar mandhata temple is one of the twelve valued jyotirlingas in India. The temple is located on the island mandhata, which is the meeting point of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri.
• Kadareshwar temple- built in the 11th century; the Kedareshwar Temple is one of the most renowned shrines in Madhya Pradesh. The sacred connotation of the place fascinates devotees and tourists from all over the world.
• Sri Govinda Bhagavatpaada- considered very religious by the Hindus, this cave has a main hall and a small sanctum with a shiva lingam. It is said that this is the place where Shankaracharya met the great saint Govinda bhagwatpad. Thereafter he took spiritual education and his Deeksha under him.
An interesting fact about Elegant Sculpted Siddhanath temple
This temple was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni but it still stands tall symbolizing its strength.
Tips for Visiting Siddhanath Temple, Omkareshwar
• Plan a proper tour in advance
• Check for the best travel operators to book your package
• Explore various deals including fun activities in MP
• Sightseeing and touring must be included in and around Omkareshwar
• Ask for a travel guide for proper guidance
• A travel guide to this place is a must if you want to know everything clearly and save your time to enjoy other fun activities.
