Shiva appeared as the second pillar of light and cursed Brahma that he would have no place in ceremonies, while Vishnu would be worshipped until the end of eternity.

[2][6] As per a Hindu legend, Vindhya, the deity controlling the Vindhyachal mountain range was worshipping Shiva to propitiate himself from the sins committed.

King Mandhata of Ikshvaku clan (an ancestor of Ram) worshipped Shiva here until the Lord manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga.

[5] Some scholars also narrate the story about Mandhata's sons-Ambarish and Muchukunda, who had practiced severe penance and austerities here and pleased Shiva.

This cave can be found even today just below the Shiva temple where an image of Adi Shankara has been installed.

In the 13th century CE, the temple suffered destruction and loot by Muslim invaders starting with Mahmud Ghazni.

After Independence in 1947, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took over the responsibility of the temple with the help of the Khandwa administration.

[9] It is situated in the Mandhata city (also known as Omkareshwar) in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh state in India.

This is one of the most sacred rivers in India and is now home to one of the world's largest solar power plant.