Donate blood for VIP darshan at Omkareshwar:First such facility at a Jyotirlinga in India; set to expand to Mahakal and other religious sites

June 26, 2026. Simran Lakhani from Ajmer, Rajasthan, has arrived with her family to visit Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. She is standing in a long queue in the humid heat. The queue is very long. Periodically, she hands her puja thali to a family member, wipes her face with a handkerchief, and uses it to fan herself. Just then, three people were seen going for darshan through the VIP gate. She sarcastically said to the temple attendant standing nearby, “These people are going for darshan without standing in line.” The attendant says, “You can also have darshan like them. You will have to make a great donation, which is blood donation.” Hearing this, Simran, along with her family, left the queue and went to donate blood for VIP darshan. A new scheme for VIP darshan has been implemented at Omkareshwar, a Jyotirlinga in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. This is the first Jyotirlinga in the country to do so. This has not only reduced the blood crisis in hospitals but has also brought the district hospital’s blood bank into surplus stock. District Blood Bank Officer Dr Atul Mane says- On one hand, devotees are having darshan of God. On the other hand, their blood is becoming a life-saver for someone in need. Approximately 40 to 50 units of blood are being collected daily. From February this year until June 27, 2300 units of blood have been donated. Now, this system will be implemented at other religious sites, including Mahakal in Ujjain, Maihar, and Pitambara Peeth in Datia. Idea Blood donation linked to expedited darshan Collector Rishav Gupta informed that around 20 to 30 thousand devotees visit Omkareshwar daily for darshan. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, this number exceeds 50 thousand. Long queues form for darshan. Keeping this in mind, a model was prepared that linked the great donation of blood donation with quick darshan. A plan was made to provide free VIP darshan of Lord Omkareshwar to devotees who donate blood. The Collector says – Blood donors and their two companions are also getting the opportunity for free VIP darshan of Lord Omkareshwar. Patients in Khandwa and surrounding districts are receiving blood on time. The Collector states – Devotees can donate blood in just 20 minutes and avoid a 3 to 4-hour long queue. For this, a five-bed blood donation camp has been set up near the temple. After receiving the certificate, the donor and their family get VIP entry into the temple. After darshan, prasad and a picture of Lord Omkareshwar are also given. 2,362 devotees have donated blood in five months The scheme was launched on February 24, 2026, as a trial from Omkar Prasadalaya, only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. After a positive response, it started operating daily. Currently, this arrangement is running from Shanti Niketan Old Age Home. In the last five months, 2,362 devotees have donated blood so far. Updates are available on WhatsApp group A WhatsApp group has been created for district blood banks across the state for coordination. When needed, Deputy Director of Health Department, Ruby Khan, issues instructions to the concerned district to provide blood. According to Dr. Mane, this system will be implemented at religious places across the state, such as Mahakal in Ujjain, Maihar, Orchha, Datia Peetambara Peeth, and other locations. Currently VIP Darshan System It takes three to four hours for general darshan at the temple daily. Whereas, for VIP darshan, a receipt of 300 rupees has to be obtained. This takes half an hour. Approximately 4,000 devotees pay a fee for quick (VIP) darshan. Meanwhile, under the blood donation scheme, approximately 50 devotees daily get free VIP darshan with their two companions. This means about 150 devotees are having darshan daily under this scheme. There is a separate arrangement for darshan for about 200 people from other protocols, officials, and special categories. Consideration for a separate blood bank Dr. Mane informed that after blood donation, all units are kept daily in special freezers. Within one or two days, they are transported with the help of a van to the District Blood Bank located at Khandwa District Hospital. After the medical college opened in Khandwa, there was a need for 1,200 units of blood every month, but only half of it could be met. This model has played a significant role in accumulating a surplus stock of blood. Work is underway on a plan for a separate blood bank facility to store the increasing blood stock at the medical college. District blood bank capacity 450 units According to Dr. Mane, the district blood bank’s storage capacity is around 450 units, while the requirement is 80 to 100 units. Blood is sent to the district hospital and other places through the blood bank. Units nearing expiry are issued on the principle of First Expiry, First Out, so that blood is not wasted. From here, blood is made available to nearby district hospitals such as Betul, Barwani, Burhanpur, Harda, and Khargone, as well as various other districts. Blood is provided based on authorized demand (indent) and replacement/receipt. Blood is issued according to the requirement, stock, and departmental permission of the concerned center. Laddoo Mahaprasad will be delivered at home Another major initiative is that Baba Omkar’s Laddoo Mahaprasad will be available at home. The prasad will be sent across the country through the Indian Postal Department. Devotees will book online by visiting the temple’s website. Along with the prasad, Shiv Chalisa, Rudraksha, and a temple darshan card will also be sent free of cost. A separate counter for the postal department is also being started in the temple premises.