Some journeys cover distance. Others take you through belief. The road trip from Indore to Omkareshwar belongs to the second kind. It moves through villages shaped by tradition. Ghats shaped by devotion. And temple routines passed through generations. What looks like a short drive becomes meaningful once you understand the steps that make it complete.
This is not a random stop at a temple. There is a correct sequence to follow. Bath in the Narmada River. Entry at the right hour. Respect for the path taken by sadhus and families year after year.
This guide explains how to do it exactly as followed by locals. From verified routes to authentic darshan process, every detail is here. Begin your Indore to Omkareshwar journey with preparation. You will experience it fully, without confusion or missed steps.
Indore to Omkareshwar Distance
The Indore to Omkareshwar distance is 77 to 82 km, depending on where you start in the city. The most reliable route is via Khandwa Road, which connects directly to NH 347 and then to Barwaha and Sanawad, and then to Omkareshwar. This is the route most regular travellers and local drivers take.
On normal days, it takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by road. But on Sawan Mondays, Mahashivratri, and other temple gatherings, it takes around 4 hours. This is because of traffic diversion points set up by police near Sanawad and Mortakka, especially for big vehicles. If your plan is to have darshan, snan, and pooja and return on the same day, then it is better to leave Indore before 5:30 AM.
Google Maps sometimes suggests shortcuts through internal roads like Amlakhadi or paths near Sangavi. Avoid those. The proper highway route has fuel stations, food stalls, medical stops, and regular signage by the Madhya Pradesh Religious Circuit Development Board.
Best Route to Drive From Indore to Omkareshwar
The Madhya Pradesh Religious Tourism Division supports this route and has signboards placed at major junctions. It is used by city taxis, tempo travellers, and organised pooja groups.
Indore → Devguradia → Barwaha → Sanawad → Mortakka → Omkareshwar
First fuel option is available after Devguradia. Barwaha has a big stopover with tea shops, breakfast outlets and clean washrooms. Turn left from Barwaha bypass to go towards Sanawad. After Sanawad the road becomes narrow near Mortakka Bridge, which is the last stretch before Omkareshwar.
Drive slowly on this stretch. Pilgrims walk barefoot here. Loud honking is penalised near the bridge entry during darshan days.
Taxi Fare from Indore to Omkareshwar
Taxis usually get booked for one-day round trips. Our cab drivers in Indore cover all pickup spots including your home, hotel, railway station, or airport. It is smarter to pre-book, especially on Mondays or holidays when spiritual crowds tend to grow.
| Vehicle Type | One-Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
| Hatchback (AC) | ₹1,500 – ₹1,800 | ₹2,800 – ₹3,200` |
| Sedan (Dzire/Amaze) | ₹1,800 – ₹2,200 | ₹3,200 – ₹3,600 |
| SUV (Innova/XL6) | ₹2,300 – ₹2,600 | ₹4,200 – ₹4,800 |
Basic fares often include tolls and meals for the driver.
Why Hire Tempo Traveller on Rent in Indore
When planning a group visit with family, society members, or senior citizens, booking a tempo traveller on rent in Indore can make coordination easier. These vehicles are built for spiritual trips and usually come with rear luggage storage, multiple AC vents, mid-aisle walking space, and grab rails for elderly passengers.
Booking windows during Sawan and Shravan are usually full a week ahead. Schedule your tempo a few days in advance to secure early departure slots. Usually, our tempo traveller per km rates start from ₹22/km. For any current offers, you can get in touch with our team.
Estimated Rates:
- 12-Seater AC: ₹8,000 – ₹8,500 (including parking and tolls)
- 17-Seater AC: ₹9,000 – ₹9,500 (including parking and tolls)
You can ask our driver to stop the vehicle at Barwaha for a 30-minute break, if you want to, or you can go straight through.
Read More: Ujjain to Omkareshwar Tour
How to Reach Omkareshwar from Indore by Train or Flight
You can reach Omkareshwar from any city in India by passing through Indore. From Indore railway station, the temple sits about 80 kilometres away, and the road trip takes close to 3 hours. The distance from Indore airport (Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport) to Omkareshwar is slightly longer at about 88 kilometres.
The nearest train stop goes by the name Omkareshwar Road (OM). It comes about 12 kilometres before you reach the temple gates. Outside the station, local autos charge somewhere between ₹150 and ₹180 for a single trip. Train access here is basic. Only a few local express trains stop at OM.
If you’re looking for a smoother ride, book a cab from Indore airport or railway station. When you’re in a group, booking a Tempo Traveller or shared ride works better, especially during crowded seasons.
Boating Between Ghats in Omkareshwar
Boating is both ritualistic and functional in Omkareshwar. After visiting Mamleshwar Temple on the main town side, devotees often take a boat to reach the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine on the island side.
Boats run every 15 minutes and carry temple pilgrims in batches. Each ride is about 10 minutes long, but it is very spiritual. You see the full temple skyline and river flags fluttering across bamboo poles in the water.
Recent Rates:
- Shared: ₹50 per person
- Private 5 to 6 seater: ₹250 to ₹300
- Circle boat darshan (on request): Around ₹600
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Monsoon rides are restricted if water release is active from upstream.
Darshan and Omkareshwar Temple Visit Process
- Don’t go straight to the main temple if you haven’t bathed or visited Mamleshwar Temple first. Locals and priests follow a sequence to make your darshan meaningful.
- Start with a snan (bath) at the Narmada River at either Koti Tirtha Ghat or Nagar Ghat. This is a must for spiritual purity.
- Put on fresh clothes after your bath. Men wear dhoti or kurta and women wear saree or salwar.
- Go to Mamleshwar Temple first. This completes the spiritual circuit. Many people skip this and later feel incomplete.
- Then go to Omkareshwar Temple. You can go by boat or the hanging bridge.
- Join the right line. The general queue starts near Gate 1. For VIP entry, go to Gate 3 with a token and pay ₹300 for the pass.
No pooja or abhishek is allowed unless you pre-book it through Mandir Seva Kendra. Buy your offering kit outside and avoid anyone who promises quicker access.
Read More: Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour Ujjain
Omkareshwar Temple Opening and Darshan Timings
The temple opens every day before sunrise and follows fixed rituals during specific hours. Early morning gives you the best chance for complete darshan with fewer people around.
| Temple Schedule | Timings |
| Open for Aarti | 5:30 AM |
| General Darshan Start | 6:00 AM |
| Midday Break | 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM |
| Evening Darshan | 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Last Entry Closure | 8:30 PM |
On Mondays and in the month of Sawan, queue hours often shrink due to government rules. VIP tickets usually stop being issued by 10:00 AM. Temple volunteers refuse entry if you wear wet clothes, synthetic fabric, or sleeveless tops.
Parikrama Path in Omkareshwar
The most respected walking ritual in Omkareshwar is the Om Parikrama. The island takes the natural shape of ॐ, and walking along this path is believed to bring the same blessing as visiting many Shiv temples across Bharat. The Parikrama covers 7 kilometres and most devotees finish it in 3 to 4 hours.
You begin the path from the island side, just behind the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple. Pilgrims walk in the clockwise direction and stop at smaller shrines like Gupteshwar Mahadev, Siddhanath Temple, and Gauri Somnath Mandir.
Important Places to Visit in Omkareshwar
Along with the Jyotirlinga shrine, Omkareshwar has many smaller temples that complete your spiritual journey. You should begin with a visit to Mamleshwar Temple. After that, most pilgrims cross to the island side to explore:
- Siddhanath Temple (known for its detailed architecture)
- Gauri Somnath Mandir (linked to the legend of Shiva and Parvati)
- Gupteshwar Mahadev (a quiet shrine carved in natural rock)
- Govindeshwar Mahadev and Rinmukteshwar (often visited by locals)
- Brahmapuri Ghat (famous for Parthiv Shivling abhishek)
You can walk to most of these temples from the Jyotirlinga gates. Each one stays open between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM with short breaks in between. You need to leave your footwear outside every temple. A few allow pooja kits bought near the entrance. None provide confirmed online booking, so carry your pooja items along.
Accommodation Near the Omkareshwar Temple
Once you reach the Jyotirlinga temple area, the closest places to stay are either on the mainland near Nagar Ghat or near Mamleshwar Mandir Road. There are plenty of dharamshalas, guesthouses and hotels near Omkareshwar you can choose from. Options are available from budget to luxury. Some of the commonly known options include
- Shree Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan (Dharamshala)
- Raghuvanshi Samaj Dharmashala
- MPT Temple View
- Vanasthali Camp and Resort
- MORIYA INN
You can check in from 6:00 AM and will need to show valid ID proof. Most stays provide geysers, veg meal restaurants, laundry, and digital lockers for safety. Online booking does not always work well. So, book with trusted platforms or arrive at least an hour early to book in person. Rooms tend to fill fast during Sawan Mondays and Kartik Poornima.
Book Your Travel with Ac Tempo Traveller Hire
Planning a spiritual journey gets easier when you are in good hands. Do not compromise the experience with last-minute bookings or unreliable vehicles. actemporavellerhire.com offers verified, comfortable, and on-time travel options from Indore to Omkareshwar for families, senior citizen groups, temple societies, and solo pilgrims. If you are coming from outside and reaching New Delhi, you can also book a direct Delhi to Omkareshwar Tempo Traveller option.
With experienced drivers who know the ghat drop points and the lesser-known Seva Samiti shortcuts, your travel remains smooth and fantastic. Trained support staff is available to explain temple darshan timings so you never miss the right moment. You can book a pickup from Indore Airport, railway station, your hotel, or even your home.
Whether you want a one-day trip or an overnight stay, we have affordable packages to fit your needs. To get started, visit actempotravellerhire.com or call +91 9811406024 to customise your journey. Stay focused on your devotion; we’ll take care of the rest.