Narmada Parikrama
Importance Of Narmada Parikrama
Narmada Parikrama
Narmada river is the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, but most of it flows in Madhya Pradesh only. It originates from Amarkantak, a pilgrimage site in Madhya Pradesh and its navel is located in the city of Nemavar. Then this river enters Gujarat via Omkareshwar and merges with the Gulf of Khambhat. There are many ancient pilgrimages and cities on the banks of river Narmada. In Hindu Puranas, it is called Rewa River. Its circumambulation is very important.
Origin of Narmada Maiya
Kotitarth in Amarkantak is the place of origin of Maa Narmada. There are about 34 temples in white color. Here is the Narmada Udgam Kund, from where the Narmada River originates from where the Narmada flows. There are temples of gods and goddesses like Surya, Lakshmi, Shiva, Ganesh, Vishnu etc. in the temple complexes. 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 prominent. 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. The eight tributaries of Narmada are more than 125 km long. For example- Hiran 188, Banjar 183 and Budhner 177 kms. But the condition of many medium rivers like Deb, Goi, Karam, Choral, Beda including Lambi is also critical. Due to the wild cutting of forests in the catchment area of the tributaries, they are losing their edge even before they join the Narmada.
Why To Do Narmada Parikrama?
1) We have 18 Puranas and only Narmada Purana as a river, no other river Purana.
2) Narma means laughter and de means giver, Narmada who always gives laughter.
3) Narmada maiya is Shiva's daughter and at the time of her birth Shiva was very happy.
4) All the rivers in India flow south from their source, only Narmada flows westwards and meets the sea.
5) After bathing in any other river, there is liberation from sin, but just by seeing Narmada maiya, there is also liberation from sin.
6) Different types of arrows (worshiped) are found only in certain parts of Narmada in India.
7) No matter how much flood Narmada gets, it has never gone out of its shores and caused any damage.
8) There is a blessing that Narmada maiya will not disappear even after the flood.
9) The red colored lump obtained from the vessel of Narmada which is called Narmada maiya is worshiped as Ganapati.
10) Shivalingas are made from large stones in the vessel of Narmada.
11) While circumambulating/Parikrama of Narmada maiya, there is no shortage of flour (flour), thorns (stones) and bhata (stones) on its banks, so no one goes hungry during the circumambulation.
12) On Narmada maiya Jayanti (Rath Saptami) all the great rivers bathe in it and dissolve all the sins accumulated by bathing of the people.
13) The most yogi, ascetic in India has given his body to Narmada and taken Jal Samadhi.
14) Most of the ashrams of saints and mahants in India are located on the banks of Narmada and the officials / trusts of Seva have been taking care of the devotees on foot for thousands of years without any expectation.
15) Even today, there are examples of stomach and skin diseases being completely eradicated by bathing in Narmada and drinking its water.
16) Thousands of devotees still do this Narmada Parikrama of 3500 Km Maiya takes care of them more than mother, all you need is the determination of your parikrama!
Tirth Sthan At Narmada Coast
Although there are many pilgrimages located on the banks of Narmada, here is a list of some major pilgrimages. Amarkantak, Mandla (King Sahasrabahu stopped this Narmada), Bheda-ghat, Hoshangabad (here was the ancient Narmadapur city), Nemavar, Kareshwar, Mandleshwar, Maheshwar, Shukleshwar, Bawan Gaja, Shoolpani, Garudeshwar, Shuktirtha, Ankteshwar, Karnali, Chandod, Shukeshwar, Vyatirtha, Anasuyamai Tapasthala, Kanjetha Shakuntala Putra Bharat Sthal, Seinor, Angareshwar, Dhayadi Kund and finally Bhrigu-Kachcha or Bhrigu-Tirtha (Bhaduch) and Vimleshwar Mahadev Tirtha.
Why this journey is full of mystery and adventure
In the Puranas, this river is mentioned in detail under a different name Revakhand. Parikrama has great importance in Hinduism. By circumambulation means to revolve around the general place or a person from his left side. This is also called 'Pradakshina' or 'Parikrama', which is a part of Shodashopachar worship. Narmada Parikrama or Yatra is a religious journey. Whoever completed the circumambulation of either of the Narmada or the Ganges, he has done the biggest task of his life. He knew everything before he died, which he would never have known in life by not traveling. The circumambulation of Narmada has been of great importance. While there is mystery, adventure and danger in the circumambulation of Narmada Maiya , there is also a wealth of experiences. Your life will change after this journey. Some people say that if the circumambulation of Narmada Maiya is done well, then the circumambulation of Narmada Maiya is completed in 3 years, 3 months and 13 days, but some people complete it in 108 days also. The Parikramavasi circumambulate by walking continuously on both the banks of about 1,312 km. Many booklets are available at pilgrimage sites with full information about Maa Narmada Parikrama
Narmadaji is the embodiment of dispassion. Gangaji for knowledge, Yamunaji for devotion, Brahmaputra for effulgence, Godavari for opulence, Krishna for desire and Saraswatiji for the establishment of wisdom. The whole world respects and worships him with reverence because of his purity and vigor and manglik spirit. Water has a special importance in human life. This importance connects life with selfishness, charity. There is a close relationship between nature and man. This river is the first such river in the world which flows in the opposite direction as compared to other rivers.
1. Take bath in Narmadaji every day. Take refreshments only from Reva water.
2. Do not accept charity during Pradakshina. If someone is sent with devotion, then do it because it is the religion of the pilgrim to accept hospitality. Tyagi, detached saints do not even eat food and do alms which is considered like nectar.
3. Do not make useless debates, slander, slander. Keep your voice calm. Always be truthful.
4. Always follow physical austerity – Dev, Dwij, Guru, Pragya Poojanam, Shauch, Marjanam. Brahmacharya, non-violence and body austerity are uchyate.
5. Manah prasad: Soumya tvam taunmatma vinigraha. Bhava sansuddhirittyet manas tapas uchyate. (Gita 17th Chapter) The threefold austerity of Shrimadgavat Geeta should be adopted by human beings for life. It is advisable for the residents of Etadarth Parikrama to keep reciting Gita, Ramayana etc every day.
6. Before starting the parikrama, make a resolution in Narmadaji. Make pudding-like prasad like Mai ki Kadahi and send it to the girls, sadhus and guest visitors as much as possible.
7. The circumambulation of the south bank should not be more than 5 miles away from the Narmada bank and the circumambulation of the north bank should not be done more than seven and a half miles away.
8. Do not cross Narmada ji anywhere. Do not go even where there are islands in Narmada ji, but the tributaries that come and join in Narmada ji, if it is necessary to cross them, cross them only once.9. Do not circumambulate in Chaturmas. From Devshayani Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, all households consider Chaturmas. Regarding the matter of Masatmasse Vaipakshah, the sanyasis of the four sides usually do. The residents of Narmada Pradakshina also do three months till Dussehra till Vijayadashi. At that time, do the embroidery of Maya as much as possible. Some remain happy doing it even in the beginning.
10. Do not carry a lot of material with you. Keep some light utensils and plate bowls etc. Keep the straight stuff with you even a couple of times.
11. Do not get hair cut. Do not cut your nails again and again. Take the fast of Vanprasthi, follow celibacy completely. Keep up the virtue. Never apply oil etc. from the point of view of makeup. Do not use soap. Always use pure clay.
12. The circumambulation should start from Amarkantan and end at Amarkantak itself. When the circumambulation is completed, then go to any one place and offer water to Lord Shankar after doing Abhishek. Get the worship done. After getting the mundanadi done, bathe again duly, do the embroidery of Narmada Maiya according to the enthusiasm and ability. Make sure to send the best Brahmins, sadhus, visitors, girls also, then after taking blessings, the resolution should be retired and in the end, pray to Narmada Maiya.
At what age should Narmada Parikrama be performed?
Some may say that Narmada-Parikrama, when emptiness comes, is the way of doing-vanprasthashrama in the northern life. In fact, the ideal period in human life for the upliftment of human mind, purification and empowerment is between Brahmacharyashram and Grihasthashram Because during this period, if everyone achieves purification / empowerment of their mind (although it is okay to say it, it is definitely not easy!), Then it will be beneficial for the health of the society by the choice of that person. Of course, it is never too late to do good. Therefore, there is no problem in doing Narmada-Parikrama anytime in life
