Narmada Parikrama: a divine experience

For a believer, it is like liberation. Narmada Parikrama is very tedious as it is usually performed on foot. It may takes up to 4 months to 8 moths depending upon your age and agility. There is physical pain but also enjoyment in being lost in devotion of the god. River Narmada is like River ganga of the west. People in Gujarat and MP worship River Narmada as “Narmada Maiya”, similar to river ganga being worshiped as ganga maiya. Just like River Ganga, Narmada river is mokshadayani, since it is said that the river is blessed by lord shiva and lord shiva has his abode in Narmada Maiya. The Narmada River is named after the Goddess Narmada, also named Reva, a different Goddess from Lalitambika. Here is her image from the Narmada Ugam temple in Amarkantak shown above.

Normally, parikrama or Circumambulation is usually done by the devotees for moksha. By circumambulating the river Narmada , they accept Narmada Maiya as the centre, source and essence of their lives. They beg for forgiveness for being attached to materialistic pleasures and pray for escape from the cycle of birth and death. Narmada river rather many call as 'Narmada maiya'. This river is mokshadayani, since lord shiva has being present in river.As river ganga, is believed to have its abode in lord Shiva's jatas. Lord shiva is believed to have its abode too in Narmada Maiya too as an vairagi form.I have know about this parikrama by very kind people who lives in Pune. I have their experiences whom they have shared with us, which was like feeling the God.

Narmada river is unique in its own way . Let's see how : It is the largest west flowing river in peninsular India. It is one of the only three major rivers that flows from East to West in peninsular India ( Other two being Tapti and Mahi ). It is considered as the boundary between northern India and southern India. It is the only river in India which flows through a rift valley between Vindhya range in north and Satpuda range in south ( Tapti and Damodar also flow through rift valleys in their course, but for a short distance). Water of river Narmada is considered as the cleanest among all other rivers of India. Valley of Narmada is a graben i.e. a depressed block of land formed due to spreading of earth's crust ( Godavari river valley is also considered graben but only in its lower part).

Narmada valley is a paradise for palaeontologists where many dinosaur and ancient human fossils have been found including Rajasaurus narmadensis , a dinosaur species named after river Narmada. Narmada river basin is tectonically active, which is not normally found in other river basins. Lastly, as per a mythological legend, River Ganga comes once a year to Narmada to cleanse itself, after being polluted by people.

Ganga was formed after India collided with the Eurasian plate and Himalayas formed. But by that time, there were already Vindhya, Satpuda, Aravali, Eastern ghats and Bijawal mountains existent in the Indian continent. The rift valley through which Narmada flows today, was formed during Gondwana times before India collided with Eurasian plate. So, we have evidence that path of Narmada was created much before that of Ganga. River Narmada is revered as the daughter of Lord Shiva and she was created to emancipate all creations. The water of River Narmada and its banks are so spiritually powerful that with a few moments of japa and dhyana on the river banks can lead to darshan of Ma Narmada, and can attain emancipation by the kripa of Ma Narmada.

Evidences of man (Homo erectus)were not found anywhere in India except in the Narmada valley (called as Narmada man). Every organism tries to live near to a water resource. So, we can assume Narmada was present during the times of Homo erectus also. Rivers may change course as time passes. But Narmada flows through rift valley unlike Ganga which flows through plains. I feel Narmada, has very less chances of changing its course. This is only an assumption since we didn’t find any such ancient proofs near Ganga river. I am not able to recollect other reasons. But as per these 2 proofs I feel that Narmada is older than Ganga but not the oldest. Rivers such as Damodar, Mahanadi have also emerged during the same time due to the same phenomenon which lead to the formation of rift valley.

Narmada river is one of the biggest rivers in India. This westbound river mainly flows through Madhya Pradesh and Gujrat States creating life and wealth where ever it flows. In Hindu culture, Narmada or Rewa considered washing the sins of Hindus much before Bhagirath brought Ganga on earth. Along with ancient heritage sites like Bhimbetka, where you can see prehistoric stone paintings and Tigers from Kanha National park, Narmada hosts many holy places like divine Temples and serene ghats such as Jabalpur, Amarkantak, Omkareshwar, Hoshangabaad, Harda, Maheshwar etc.

Since ancient times, sadhus have circumambulated this holy River starting and ending at the same point crossing dense rain forests, hills, deserts and swamps by feet. It is considered as one of the hardest pilgrimage in the world. Rules for performing Narmada Parikrama: The one who undertakes Parikrama is called as Parikramavasi. During Narmada Parikrama, Parikramavasi must not cross?the river, even he should not go to the islands also. The main object of?Narmada Parikrama is not only to complete a adventurous and spiritual journey but also to clean the garbage hidden within us. So every Parikramavasi should try to speak true, maintain mental satisfaction at all the time and behave good to all and worship Narmada maiya at every morning and evening.

During?Narmada Parikrama Parikramavasi should always try to walk by the side of the river Narmada and walk taking the river at his right hand. He should not go very far from the river, but due to geographical cause none can do so. If any Parikramavasi become bound to go far from the holy river Narmada, he should worship the water taken from the holy river in pot. During?Narmada Parikrama, Parikramavasi should walk bare footed and must not carry food for more than two days in advance. He should carry his own luggage himself. No carrier or labor is allowed to help him. Parikramavasi should always repeat the word ‘Rewa’ during journey in his mind or he may repeat any other name of God as per his own choice.

During Narmada Parikrama, Parikramavasi passes a?lot of temples and religious places. He should visit?the temples and religious?places and worship the God or Goddess as much as possible. Try to increase dependence over the mother ‘Narmada’. In rainy season and in summer, Narmada Parikrama remains close and Parikramavasi should stay at one place. He should worship Narmada Mata every morning and evening and try to repeat the word ‘Rewa’ in mind as much as possible during this period. Jay Narmada Maiya