About 79 km from Indore, Omkareshwar is a sacred island on the Narmada. It is said that when seen from above, the island is shaped like the holy ‘Om’ symbol ( ॐ ), which gives it the name Omkareshwarm and this resemblance combined with the presence of one of the 12 jyotirlingas has made it one of the most sacred Hindu places in central India. Seen from the ghats of River Narmada, this sacred island is a 2-km long and 1-km wide sandstone outcrop with ravines cut into the sides that enhance its spectacular appearance. The southern and eastern sides of islands rise like cliffs from the river forming a gorge, while the northern side slopes gently to the water. The island’s landscape is dominated by the shikhara, a towering dome over the shrine of Shri Omkar Mandhata Temple, the abode of Shiva as the fulfiller of desires. There are two ways of getting to the islands—the high concrete foot-bridge over the river or the ferries and boats that cross the river gorge separating ...