Mamaleshwar
Shiva (Mamleshwar, also called Amareshwar) temple · Omkareshwar, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The Mamaleshwar or Mamleshwar temple, known in earlier times as Amareshwar, is a temple of Shiva on the south bank of the Narmada at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh (Khandwa District Administration; DD India). It stands across the river from the Omkareshwar temple, which is on the island in the Narmada (Khandwa District Administration; Aaj Tak).
The Khandwa district administration describes the two temples as having equal status, and the Shiva lingas of both shrines are regarded as Jyotirlingas (Khandwa District Administration; DD India). The temple group is a centrally protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India (Archaeological Survey of India).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Mamaleshwar
Omkareshwar is counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and devotees hold the Mamleshwar and Omkareshwar shrines in equal regard, treating the lingas in both as Jyotirlingas (Khandwa District Administration; DD India). Outlook Traveller notes that the Mamleshwar temple on the south bank is also considered sacred and draws ascetics and pilgrims as well as other visitors (Outlook Traveller).
The temple stands in a long-settled part of the town that also holds a number of ashrams and dharamshalas of holy men (PTI via The Week; Aaj Tak).
Heritage
History of Mamaleshwar
According to a traditional account retold by DD India, the Vindhya mountain deity worshipped a linga made of sand and clay at this place, and Shiva then manifested in two forms, Omkareshwar and Amareshwar (Mamleshwar) (DD India). This belongs to temple tradition and is not a documented date of founding.
The Archaeological Survey of India lists the site as the 'Amleshwar alias Mamleshwar group of temples including Kleshwar temple' at Godadpura (Onkar Mandhata) in Khandwa district, among the centrally protected monuments of its Bhopal Circle (Archaeological Survey of India).
In November 2025 the Madhya Pradesh administration withdrew a plan to build a 'Mamleshwar Lok' corridor on about 6.5 hectares around the temple, modelled on the Mahakal Lok at Ujjain, after local residents and saints opposed it and the town's businesses stayed shut in protest (PTI via The Week; Aaj Tak). Officials said a new plan could be drawn up at another site in Omkareshwar by consensus (PTI via The Week; Aaj Tak).
Architecture and sacred features
The ASI listing treats Mamleshwar as a group of temples rather than a single shrine, with the Kleshwar temple included in the protected group (Archaeological Survey of India).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Many pilgrims visit both the Mamleshwar and Omkareshwar shrines, as the two are held to be of equal status (Khandwa District Administration; DD India). Confirm current arrangements and timings with the temple management or the Khandwa district administration before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Location
How to Reach Mamaleshwar
Omkareshwar is in Khandwa district on the Indore-Edlabad road, roughly 70 to 75 km from Khandwa according to the district administration, which gives both figures (Khandwa District Administration). The nearest airport is at Indore, about 84 km away (Khandwa District Administration).
The nearest major railway stations listed by the district administration are Khandwa and Indore, from where taxis and buses run to Omkareshwar (Khandwa District Administration). The temple is on the south bank of the Narmada, facing the Omkareshwar temple across the river (Khandwa District Administration; Aaj Tak).
Location: Omkareshwar, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India
Nearest airport: Indore (about 84 km, per Khandwa District Administration)
Nearest railway station: Khandwa or Indore (per Khandwa District Administration)
More in Hindu temples in Madhya Pradesh · Shiva (Mamleshwar, also called Amareshwar) temples · Temples in Duhkiya · Temples in Punasa Tehsil
Questions
Mamaleshwar: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Mamleshwar temple?
It is on the south bank of the Narmada at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, across the river from the island temple of Omkareshwar (Khandwa District Administration; Aaj Tak).
Is Mamleshwar a Jyotirlinga?
The Khandwa district administration describes Mamleshwar and Omkareshwar as having equal status, and the Shiva lingas in both shrines are regarded as Jyotirlingas (Khandwa District Administration; DD India).
What was the temple's earlier name?
Its ancient name was Amareshwar (Khandwa District Administration; DD India). The ASI lists it as 'Amleshwar alias Mamleshwar' (Archaeological Survey of India).
Is the temple a protected monument?
Yes. The 'Amleshwar alias Mamleshwar group of temples including Kleshwar temple' at Godadpura (Onkar Mandhata), Khandwa, is on the ASI's list of centrally protected monuments in its Bhopal Circle (Archaeological Survey of India).
What is the legend of the temple?
According to a tradition retold by DD India, the Vindhya mountain deity worshipped a linga of sand and clay here, and Shiva appeared in two forms, Omkareshwar and Amareshwar (Mamleshwar) (DD India).
What happened to the Mamleshwar Lok corridor plan?
The Madhya Pradesh administration withdrew the plan in November 2025 after opposition from residents and saints (PTI via The Week; Aaj Tak). Officials said another site could be considered by consensus (PTI via The Week).
How do I reach the temple?
The nearest airport is Indore, about 84 km away, and the nearest major railway stations are Khandwa and Indore, with taxis and buses to Omkareshwar (Khandwa District Administration).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q97946837 — structured data (CC0)
- Archaeological Survey of India — List of Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites, Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal Circle (entry 117)
- Khandwa District Administration, Government of Madhya Pradesh — Omkareshwar (tourist place)
- DD India (Prasar Bharati) — Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga: where Lord Shiva rests beside the sacred Narmada
- PTI via The Week — 'Mamleshwar Lok' plan in Omkareshwar withdrawn after stiff opposition from citizens, saints
- Aaj Tak — Omkareshwar: Mamleshwar Lok proposal cancelled
- Outlook Traveller — Omkareshwar (photo gallery)
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