Mandhata, also called Omkareshwar or Shivapuri and ancient

Mahishmati Mahishmati () was an ancient city and the capital of Haihayas in the present-day central India on the banks of Narmada River (in Madhya Pradesh), although its exact location is uncertain. The city may have flourished as late as until 13th centu ...

, capital of Avanti Mahajanpada is a riverine island in the

Narmada River The Narmada River, previously also known as ''Narbada'' or anglicised as ''Nerbudda'', is the 5th longest river in India and overall the longest west-flowing river in the country. It is also the largest flowing river in the state of Madhya Prade ...

in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is situated on the southern part of the island. Omkareshwar Mandhata is located on the Mandhata hill on the banks of the

Narmada The Narmada River, previously also known as ''Narbada'' or anglicised as ''Nerbudda'', is the 5th longest river in India and overall the longest west-flowing river in the country. It is also the largest flowing river in the state of Madhya Prade ...

The name "Omkareshwar" is due to the shape of the island, which appears to be Om. It is about long and wide. Local tradition reveals that King Mandhata paid homage to

Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...

here and made this holy place his capital. This place is situated at a distance of about 10 km from Omkareshwar Road railway station on Akola–Ratlam rail line.Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p. 115

References

{{reflist Narmada River River islands of India Khandwa district Landforms of Madhya Pradesh Villages in Khandwa district