Start overnight travel (train or car) toward Khandwa to maximize daytime in Omkareshwar on the 27th; trains and night buses are common. Night travel saves daytime transfer time.
Begin with sunrise on the Narmada ghat to enjoy quiet waters and the island silhouette; early morning has the fewest visitors and best light for photos.
Simple local breakfast from vendors on the ghat — poha, jalebi or upma with hot chai — fast, fresh and perfect before temple darshan; vendors are open early from 6:00am.
Visit the main Omkareshwar and Mamleshwar temples on the island — this is a Jyotirlinga and best visited early to avoid large crowds; temple morning timings typically start around 6:00am.
Take a 30–60 minute motorboat to view the island temples and the Mandhata hill from the river — boats generally operate from early morning until late afternoon and are great for photos.
Climb to Siddhanath and other small hill temples for panoramic views over the Narmada and to see lesser-known shrines; the walk is refreshing and less crowded mid-morning.
Attend the evening arti and enjoy the riverside atmosphere; evening temple hours commonly run 3:30pm–9:00pm, so plan to be at the ghat by aarti time for a good place.
Choose a rooftop or riverside restaurant for grilled paneer, dal and local specialties; many eateries serve until 9:00–10:00pm but check if you need later service.
Check into a hotel/guesthouse on the island or nearby — staying here reduces travel time and lets you return to the ghat early if you wish the next morning.
Have a quick breakfast (poha/paratha/chai) and check out to reach Dewas with comfortable morning travel time; vendors and small cafés open early around 6:30–7:00am.
Depart Omkareshwar for Dewas; the drive is ~2–3 hours depending on route and stops — you’ll arrive before the afternoon event and have some morning sightseeing time if desired.
Meet your friend when convenient and, if time allows, visit the Dewas Tekri (hill shrine) for city views and a quick temple darshan — most hill sites are open until early evening.
Have a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant or at your friend’s place — tasting local Malwa/Deccani flavors is a nice pre-party meal; many restaurants are open 12:00–15:00.
Attend your friend’s son’s birthday party; confirm exact start/end times with your friend and allocate time for greetings and photos — afternoon events often run 2–4 hours.
Leave after the event and head to Ujjain (approx 1–1.5 hours drive). Aim to leave early if the party runs long to avoid late-night traffic and to reach Ujjain in time for dinner and an evening temple visit if desired.
Check into your Ujjain hotel and rest briefly; keep clothes/footwear ready for temple visits the next early morning as Mahakaleshwar can require early arrival for Bhasma aarti.
Dine at a popular vegetarian restaurant close to the Mahakaleshwar precinct (many stay open till 10:00pm) to keep the evening relaxed and avoid late travel.
If you want the unique Bhasma Aarti experience, reach Mahakaleshwar temple by 3:00–3:30am; the ritual starts before dawn and is extremely popular, so expect crowds and plan to join a managed queue or pre-book if available.
Do the regular darshan if you didn’t attend the Bhasma Aarti; morning hours are less crowded after the early ritual but still busy — check temple timings (often 6:00am–12:30pm; 3:00pm–10:00pm).
Explore the historic Ved Shala (astronomical observatory) to see traditional instruments and learn about Ujjain’s astronomical past — usually open roughly 9:00am–5:00pm.
Visit Kaliadeh Palace (if open) and stroll the ghats of the Shipra river; the palace and ghats are scenic and pleasant in the afternoon — palace hours can vary, typically 9:00am–6:00pm.
Visit Harsiddhi temple and smaller shrines around Ujjain; late afternoon can be crowded for some temples, so expect lines and plan 30–60 minutes per shrine.
Head to Ram Ghat for sunset and the evening aarti on the Shipra — a quieter, picturesque alternative to temple aartis and a nice way to end sightseeing; aarti times change with sunset (around 5:30–6:00pm in December).
Finish the trip with hotel check-out for late-night travel or rest overnight in Ujjain depending on your onward plans; allow time to reach the station/road for departure.