Prasanna Shree Omkareshwar Temple Jayanagar, Jalgaon, Jalgaon

Among the twelve renowned Jyotirlingas in the country, Omkareshwar in Omkar-Mandhata, Madhya Pradesh, is a religiously significant Jyotirlinga. The Omkareshwar Temple located in Jaynagar, Jalgaon city, named after this sacred site, is a place of deep faith for thousands of devotees in the region. It is said that the Shivling here is Swayambhu (self-manifested). Because of this, this place is considered highly vibrant and spiritually awakened. A unique feature of this temple is that it was built as a result of a vow (Navas).

The legend of the temple is that Mishrilal Joshi of Jalgaon city was suffering from a severe stomach ailment. Tired of his persistent illness, he took Sannyas and left for Kashi. There, he met a gentleman named Jaswant Singh, who was his Gurubandhu. Jaswant Singh changed his perspective and told him that there was no need to stay in Kashi permanently. Meanwhile, his brothers had taken a vow to Omkareshwar that if his brother’s stomach pain ceased and he returned home, they would build a temple for Him in Jalgaon and serve Him with devotion. Following the advice of his Gurubandhu, Mishrilal returned to Jalgaon. Thereafter, Mishrilal and his brothers established the Omkareshwar Charitable Trust on 17 August 1966 and began the construction of the temple.

In the year 1968, the construction of the Omkareshwar Temple was completed on a 28,500 square foot plot in the Jaynagar area. However, the brothers wished for the Shivling to be installed in the temple to be Swayambhu. For this, they went to Omkareshwar on the banks of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh. But despite an extensive search, they could not find a Swayambhu Shivling and had to return. A few days later, a message arrived from Omkareshwar stating that a Swayambhu Shivling had been found. Subsequently, the Swayambhu Shivling was brought from there. On 8 February 1971, the Pran-Pratishtha of this Linga along with other idols was performed in the temple by Maharishi Brajmohan Vyas. Since then, this shrine has become a place of faith for thousands of devotees in the city.

This Omkareshwar Temple is located in the bustling Jaynagar area of Jalgaon city. One enters the temple courtyard through a gate in the surrounding boundary wall. There are lion sculptures on the pillars on both sides of the entrance. The paved courtyard is spacious. The structure of this temple, which is elevated from the ground, consists of a Mukhamandapa (front porch), Sabhamandapa (main hall), Antarala (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). One enters the Sabhamandapa by climbing the nine steps in the Mukhamandapa. In the center of the Sabhamandapa is a large, white marble idol of Nandi. The ornaments on this idol are carved in a golden hue, making it appear even more exquisite. There are doors on the right and left sides of the Sabhamandapa for exit. Additionally, there is an arrangement for a queue for the convenience of devotees.

In the center of the Garbhagriha is the marble idol of Omkareshwar. Above the head of this idol is a five-hooded serpent deity. In front of the idol is the Swayambhu Shivling, encased in metal plating. Jalabhishek is performed on this Linga using a Panchadhatu vessel. To the left of the main idol is the idol of Ganpati. Chandrikeshwar and Nandikeshwar also have their places here. There are Meghdambaris (canopies) in all four corners of the temple ceiling. The Shikhara above the Garbhagriha features replicas of many smaller Shikharas on all four sides. At the top of the Shikhara is the Amalaka, topped by a Kalash.

A grand festival is celebrated at this temple on Mahashivratri. On this day, devotees can have Darshan of Omkareshwar starting from four o’clock in the morning. Throughout the twenty-four hours, various Abhisheks are performed in seven sessions. For the Maha-Aarti performed after the Abhishek, 108 lamps (Niranjan) are used. Mahaprasad is distributed to the devotees who arrive on this occasion. The North Indian Shravan month is celebrated in this temple from Guru Purnima to Pithori Amavasya. During these 45 days, special Rudrabhishek is performed here. Apart from this, thousands of devotees from the district also come for Darshan on Shravani Mondays, Shri Ram Navami, Guru Purnima, and Shri Krishna Janmashtami.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery