Narmada Yatra: When, why and how it is done, know its importance
narmada yatra
Narmada River is the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, but most of it flows in Madhya Pradesh only. It originates from Amarkantak, the pilgrimage center of Madhya Pradesh and has its navel site in Nemavar Nagar. Then passing through Omkareshwar, this river enters Gujarat and merges into the Gulf of Khambhat. There are many ancient pilgrimages and cities on the banks of river Narmada. In Hindu Puranas it is called Reva river. Its parikrama is very important.
Origin of Narmada
In Amarkantak, Kotitarth is the origin of Maa Narmada. There are about 34 temples of white color here. Here is Narmada Udgam Kund, from where Narmada river originates from where Narmada flows. The temple complexes have temples of deities like Surya, Lakshmi, Shiva, Ganesha, Vishnu etc. Amarkantak Amarkantak, situated at an altitude of 3600 feet above sea level, is called the mother of rivers. About five rivers originate from here, in which Narmada River, Son River and Johila River are the main ones. Narmada has a total of 41 tributaries. 19 from the north coast and 22 from the south coast. The catchment area of Narmada basin is one lakh square kilometer. It is three percent of the geographical area of the country and 28 percent of the area of Madhya Pradesh. Eight tributaries of Narmada are longer than 125 km. For example – Hiran 188, Banjar 183 and Budhner 177 km. But the condition of many medium rivers like Deb, Goi, Karam, Choral, Beda along with long ones is also serious. Due to the rampant cutting of forests in the catchment areas of the tributaries, they are losing their edge even before joining the Narmada.
Narmada Yatra When
Narmada Parikrama or Yatra is done in two ways. First, Narmada Panchkroshi Yatra is held every month and Narmada is circumambulated. The date of the Panchkroshi Yatra that takes place every month is given in the calendar. This journey starts from the pilgrimage cities of Amarkantak, Omkareshwar and Ujjain. It ends where it starts.
Parikrama route
Amarkantak, Mai Ki Bagiya to Narmada Kund, Mandla, Jabalpur, Bhedaghat, Barmanghat, Pataighat, Magrol, Joshipur, Chhapaner, Nemawar, Narmada Sagar, Pamakheda, Dhavrikund, Omkareshwar, Balkeshwar, Indore, Mandleshwar, Maheshwar, Khalghat, Chikhla, Dharmarai, Katarkheda, Shoolpadi bush, Hastisangam, Chhapeshwar, Sardar Sarovar, Garudeshwar, Chandod, Bharuch. After this on return via Pondi via Bimleshwar, Koteshwar, Golden Bridge, Bulbulkand, Ramkund, Barwani, Omkareshwar, Khandwa, Hoshangabad, Sadiya, Barman, Bargi, Triveni Sangam, Maharajpur, Mandla, Dindori and then Amarkantak.
Pilgrimages of Narmada Coast
Although there are many pilgrimages located on the banks of Narmada, but here is a list of some major pilgrimages. Amarkantak, Mandla (this was where King Sahasrabahu stopped the Narmada), Bheda-Ghat, Hoshangabad (here was the ancient Narmadapur city), Nemawar, Omkareshwar, Mandleshwar, Maheshwar, Shukleshwar, Bawan Gaja, Shulpani, Garudeshwar, Shukratirtha, Ankateshwar, Karnali, Chandod, Shukeshwar, Vyastirtha, Anasuyamai Tapa Sthal, Kanjetha Shakuntala Putra Bharat Sthal, Sinor, Angareshwar, Dhayadi Kund and finally Bhrigu-Kachchh or Bhrigu-Tirtha (Bhaduch) and Vimleshwar Mahadev Tirtha.
Why do the narmada yatra
This journey full of mystery and adventure is very important.general rules In Puranas, this river is mentioned in detail with a different name Revakhand. Parikrama has great importance in Hindu religion. Parikrama means going around a general place or a person from his left side. This is also called 'Pradakshina Karna', which is a part of Shodashopachara Puja. Narmada Parikrama or Yatra is a religious journey. Whoever completes the circumambulation of either Narmada or Ganga has done the biggest work of his life. He knew everything before his death, which he would never have known in life if he had not traveled. Parikrama of Narmada has been given more importance. While there are mysteries, thrills and dangers in Narmadaji's Pradakshina Yatra, there is also a storehouse of experiences. Your life will change after this trip. Some people say that if Narmadaji's circumambulation is done properly, then Narmadaji's circumambulation is completed in 3 years, 3 months and 13 days, but some people complete it in 108 days as well. Parikrama residents walk continuously on both the banks of about 1,312 km. Many booklets are available at pilgrimage centers for the information of Shrinarmada Pradakshina.
Narmadaji is the personification of the presiding deity of quietness. Gangaji has come to the world for knowledge, Yamunaji for devotion, Brahmaputra for glory, Godavari for wealth, Krishna for desire and Saraswatiji for establishment of discretion. The whole world respects and worships him with devotion because of his purity and vitality and auspiciousness. Water has special importance in human life. This importance connects life with selfishness and charity. There is a deep connection between nature and humans. This river is the first such river in the world which flows in the opposite direction than other rivers.
How do the narmada yatra
The scriptural instruction for pilgrimage is to do it in the form of pada yatra. This tradition is seen being followed in many places. Earlier, devout people used to go on pilgrimage by making big and small congregations. The routes and stops of the journey were fixed. The villages, settlements, huts, nagle purbes etc. which were found on the way, used to stop, stay, and take rest for the night at some suitable place. Wherever he stopped, discussing religion and telling stories to the people, this process used to go on from morning till evening. Katha Kirtan, satsang was organized in the night halt also. Often these trips start in the middle of November.
General rules of circumambulation
1. Take bath in Narmadaji everyday. Have refreshments only with Reva water.
2. Don't accept donations in Pradakshina. At least send someone with devotion, because accepting hospitality is the dharma of a pilgrim. Renunciate, disinterested saints do not even eat food, they do alms which is considered like nectar.
3. Don't do pointless debate, slander, backbiting. Maintain restraint of speech. Always be truthful.
4. Always follow physical austerity - Dev, Dwij, Guru, Pragya Pujan, Shauch, Marjanam. Celibacy, non-violence of body's penance.
5. Manah Prasad: Soumya Tham Maunmatma Vinigraha. Bhava Sanshudhirityet Manas Tap Uchyate. (Gita 17th Chapter) The triple penance of Shrimadgavatgita should be accepted by human beings for lifetime. Therefore, it is appropriate for the Parikrama residents to continue reciting Gita, Ramayana etc. everyday.
6. Make a resolution in Narmadaji before starting the circumambulation. Make Prasad like Mai's Kadahi i.e. Halua and send it to girls, saints and guest visitors as per their capacity.
7. Pradakshina of the south coast should not be more than 5 miles away from the Narmada coast and pradakshina of the north coast should not be more than seven and a half miles away.
8. Do not cross Narmada ji anywhere. Don't go where there are islands in Narmada ji, but if it is necessary to cross the tributaries that join Narmada ji, then cross them only once.
9. Don't do circumambulation in Chaturmas. From Devshayani Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, all the householders observe Chaturmas. Regarding the matter of Masatmase Vaipaksha, the ascetics of the four sides often do Yati. Residents of Narmada Pradakshina do it for three months till Dussehra till Vijayadashi. At that time do mother's embroidery as much as you can. Some remain happy even in the beginning.
10. Don't carry a lot of stuff with you. Keep some light utensils and plates and bowls etc. Keep simple items that can be obtained once or twice with you.
11. Do not get hair cut. Don't cut your nails too often. Take the fast of Vanprasthi, follow celibacy completely. Keep adopting virtue. Never apply oil etc. from the point of view of makeup. Don't use soap. Always use pure soil.
12. Parikrama should start from Amarkantan and end in Amarkantak only. When the circumambulation is complete, then go to any one place and offer water after consecrating Lord Shankarji. Get the puja abhishek done. After getting tonsured, bathe again, do the embroidery of Narmada Maiya according to your enthusiasm and ability. Make sure to send the best Brahmins, saints, visitors, girls also, then after taking blessings, resolve to retire and request Narmadaji at the end.
