Why this blog?
|| त्वदीय पादपङ्कजं नमामि देवि नर्मदे ||
Myself along with Archana and few friends including Swami Akshayanand Ji and Shri. Padmakumar ji are doing Parikrama of Naramada River or Shri Reva by Car.
When we started telling people about this plan to Teerth Yatra of around 12 days, a lot of people were curious to know the reason, the purpose and a few wanted to know how it is going? That's why I decided to jot down the experiences and feelings from the start in this one blog to the extent possible. This will also have the brief photo gallery representing the trip.
What is the Narmada Parikrama?
The river Naramada is spread across three states starting from Amarkantak on the Chattisgarh border to Omkareshwar in Madhyapradesh to a very small part on the borders of Maharashtra to the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat. The length is around 1500 kms. One needs to go around the entire west and east coast. General starting point is Omkareshwar and back there. But we decided to have Nareshwar and back. So around 4000 kms of Parikrama including the required detours on the way if any. Our travel from Roha to Nareshwar near Bharuch is separately around 600 kms to and fro. So the total of approximately 4600 kms of travel.
Why Parikrama?
Myself and Archana have almost come to terms that we will go only for the Teerth Yatra and not for any lieasure vacation any further. Teerth Yatra means the one where we visit the vibrant temples, the ashrams, the maths, the Gurukulams, the rivers of Bharat and so on. These trips should have great men to meet on the way and possibly along with us. These are minimalist tours with minimal stuff to carry, no hotel stays, no casino, no fancy food. These trips should be full of activities to understand the self... Be it seclusion, meditation, silence, japa, Bhajan, yog, reading, writing, networking etc. Basically for finding the real nector within.
One of the yatras that many great men of Bharat like Adi Shankaracharya and Vivekananda have done is called Bharat Bhraman. We were fecinated about this idea of the Bharat Bhraman. One of the models is just to go around the entire country. Other idea that struck us is to do major popular Yatras in the country like the
Chardham Yatra, then the Naramada Prarikrama, Various Jyotirlinga and so on. We did the Chardham Yatra over the Royal Enfield in 2016. Here is the
blog I published that time.
India is the only country where Rivers are given equal stature as mothers. The so called Indus civilization is known to have been developed and flourished around the river Sindhu. Ganga is considered to be the one who washes off all the bad deeds or Papas. Similar Saraswati, Yamuna, Sharayu, Naramada, Godavari, Kaveri, etc actually symbolise this great civilisation. No auspicious occasion starts without praising and praying the rivers of Bharat and assuming that we have taken bath in one of them to be pure and pious.
The only river of India i.e., Naramada is the one around which people travel and call it as Parikrama. While Ganga ji is known for Gyan, Yamuna ji is known for Bhakti, Narmada ji is known for Vairagya. It is said that, one can become pure with Ganga Snane (bathing in ganga), Yamuna Pane (drinking water of Yamuna), Narmada is just Darshane (by just seeing Naramada). This means that you just need to see Naramada ji for achieving excellence. Naramada ji is considered as the daughter of Shiv in the Narmada Puranam. It is born from the perspiration of Shivji to this large oceanic perennial river.
The Naramada periphery gives you an experience of the villages, forests, mountains, etc. Most of the habitation is rural one around Narmada. The entire belt is full of Saints, Mahants, temples, maths and Sanyansins which makes it very serene and value adding to meet these great people and experience great places.
We saw a gujrati movie Reva, a while before and we're inspired about this idea of Naramada Parikrama. After that we spoke to many scholars and found this to be highly auspicious to have. One of the purpose was to take a longish break from the hectic professional schedule. Also, i think this trip will add a lot of perspectives on the programs I conduct about the BhagwadGeeta and such other spiritual persuits. Hence we decided to do this one atleast in the vehicle. Most of the people do it by walk but we could take a call to do it by a four wheeler. Will deliberate more on the reasoning and keep adding the deeper "why" in this article as we go along. May be this can't be explained by words.
One more purpose got added. This was completely unplanned. My grandmother who was named as "Narmada" passed away on 20th January 2023. We came to know that Chanod on the banks of Narmada is popular for submerging her last remains (Asti Visarjan). We were amazed to how this Naramada River wanted that Naramada Ben to come to her at a correct timing effortlessly!!
The plan for the Naramada Parikrama
We browsed the net, saw a few YouTube videos, spoke with a few people to find out the right path and convenient stops. Here is one the
videos which i want to recommend you if you are at planning for the same by Dr. Swati Chandorkar .
We also got a
google drive file updated about the stops suggested by the past travellers. Apart from this, one of the connections of Swami Akshayanand ji has suggested the places to stay and food on daily basis on the way. We will try and compile that in addition on the same file as shared above for people to check.
Apart from regular half pants and half t-shirts. We looked for max and min temperature at key places and thought that there should not be much cold. Still we took some simple sweaters, caps for the cold in Madhyapradesh and Chattisgarh. We picked up just dry snacks like Chakli, Khakra, Chivda, tilguds, churma laddus for having on the way. Swami ji told that food will be available on the way in Ashrams and Dharmashalas without doubt.
Many people told us that Maa Naramada will plan everything. Just have full faith on her and this process. So, we decided not to over plan this one like a normal vacation. Just keep it open for spontaneous stuff to menifest. Be minimalistic.
Finally the trip was decided in a tempo with seven of us in a traveller from 5th of Feb till around 20th. We didn't want to keep it open for lovely locations on the way instead of tightly scheduling this. We wanted to be light and open to things as they flow. Let's see when we come back!!
I am thinking of posting photos, experiences, amazement and realisations coming from the trip in the following sequence for those who are keen to follow. Just keep posting comments or questions posed in your minds below and I will try to revert on them to the best of my understanding...
Tentative topics for the blog:
Day 1
We started from the Reva Samadarshan Ashram after completing the Shiv Abhishek there, at around 8am towards the Rang Avadhoot Maharaj Ashram at Nareshwar.
From left to right are (Padmanabh Kelkar, Padmakumar ji, Mitesh, Swami Akshayanand ji, Archana, Deepa ji and Kavita ji). Driver Sanjay is seen somewhere behind Swami ji.
One thing, that touched me at the Rang Avadhoot Ashram is परस्पर देवो à¤à¤µ. Huge place with a lot of Audumber and Neem trees all around on the banks of Narmada. We decided to consider this as the starting point and also the point we will conclude the Parikrama.
Immediately after 20 mins of driving towards Chanod, the vehicle struck with an accident. It was a bike which drove from 90 degree blindspot carrying a newl married couple. The hit was a bit harsh but both were saved and taken in very quick service 108 ambulance. The situation was maturely handled by the mob unlike my expectation. The police was sent at the place for compliant within an hour as the place was in the remote area. Swamiji and all ladies with Padmakumar ji were invited by a commuter in an Innova just behind us to his factory for a comfortable sitting at a small village called Sinor. People of Gujarat are really welcoming and ready to help as always. This is a lesson I learnt from this event which would have been a real panic otherwise, to help unknown people in such a situation on a road to the extent possible. A replacement vehicle was sent in 1.5 hours by the travel company whose vehicle we hired as the place was just near Vadodara where he had it all set.
We said "Show must go on" and started off with the smaran of Maa Narmada towards the next destination i.e., Chanod.
On the way Swami ji suggested to visit the Chinta Haran Hanuman. It's an Adivashi school and a small temple of Hanuman Ji. We prayed for wellbeing of those two people over the bike who were struck in the morning. We decided to stay back at the Chinta Haran Hanuman ji place. We had amazing evening food at this place. We had a Satsang with the Narayan Charan or NC Swamiji who looks after this Ashram. He gave us a lot of suggestions about Paath, Anna Daan, Maun, etc in Parikrama. He spoke with us about the Reva Khand of the Skandh Puran. He said, if we develop that angle, we will absolutely be able to experience the divine in someone on the way if any possible form.
The journey in the new vehicle started with the Hanuman Chalisa and the Ganapati stotram. This became our daily ritual in Yatra and added to our comfort that there is a power which takes care of everyone on this adventure.
Day 2
We started at around 8:30am after a heavy dilkhush breakfast by NC Swami ji. We than moved to Garudeshwar.
Garudeshwar has a nice temple of Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati Ji or the great Tembe Swami ji along with Datt Maharaj. There was a Narmada ghat where we did our Pooja for Maa Naramada right on the bank. We could see a huge dam built and on the other side the Statue of Unity was visible in the clouds.
Hafeshwar Mahadev used to be a very old temple which submerged in the water due to development the Sardar Sarowar on the bank of Narmada. We first went to see the Dhwaj or Dhaja of the old temple. There is a Very nice Narmada view there.
The new temple was also nicely made with 12 jyotirlinga temples around a huge statue of Shiva in the open area. We also met the Mahant ji there and had a nice tea with him in the temple.
By the end of first day, we crossed the Gujarat border and entered into Madhyapradesh. Our itenary had Koteshwar but we not having any clue as to where to stay and have food. It was already 6pm. We called the Narmada Parikrama Seva Trust in Pipaliya Shri Shantilal Patidar. He lovingly told us to come over to the Sai Mandir. We reached there. It was around 7pm and dark. The way was very narrow and inside the farm to reach Sai temple. We all reached there and were thinking that we will have to settle down tonight in that temple. Shantilal arrived there on his bike. He works as a cashier in a small local bank. He owns the farm land and has his. Around that. He took us there for freshening up. Than he requested us to go to the Bhojan Shala that villegers run for the Parikrama Vasis. Atleast four or five of them reached there and started arranging food for us. It was Narmade Har, Narmade Har everywhere. They all looked Overwhelmed that evening to arrange everything. I came to know that day that the village has an open invitation and infact they crave to have the Parikrama Vasis as their guests in any kind of marriage or similar programs always.
We finished our Narmada Stuti and learnt Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati stotram as well that day with Swami ji leading us in that road side open tent stay where we were put up by the village team. It was immense cold as this was February 2023 month and we had to wear the jackets and the even than take two blankets to sleep in.
Completely life changing experience for us. It removed all our ego on the day one by removing us from our comfort zone and leave it all on the Maa Narmada.
Day 3
After freshening up from Pipaliya, we went to Koteshwar. This is an old temple which gets submerged in the Narmada river part of the year. Luckily we could see this and the Naramada temple after our routine bath in the river. The Ghat is busy with the boats and the people bathing in the morning.
We took our breakfast, the Poha at Nisarpur near Pipaliya. Than we left for the Maheshwar fort. On the way, visited the old Neelkanth Mahadev temple at Mandavgad and the chaturbhuj Ram temple. We saw all the old monnimental Mogal architecture just lying around and small vibrant campus of the Ram Mandir.
Maheshwar is a great memory of Punyashlok Ahilya Bai Holkar. We saw various historical locations and the 28 ghats made on the Narmada. Very pleasant climate and scenic beauty apart from the architectural marvel.
Maheshwar stood to be the most beautiful in the lot. Hence thought of adding the pictures of the 28 ghats for the Shiv Puja and Narmada Puja envisioned by PunyaShlok Ahilyabai Holkar.
Also, it was worth covering a photograph of the carvings on the temple which we witnessed during the visit and were overwhelmed.
While overlooking at the history of the Maheshwar, we found that this was also called as the Mahishmati Nagari which was ruled by the king Kartvirya Arjun. This mighty king was also known as Sahasrarjun.
When this king Sahararjun tried to stop Narmada ji at his kingdom, the Naramada travelled out in thousand streams called the popular Sahasradhara.
We reached at the Bishnoi Ashram of Nemawar after driving 200 kms. This is a dedicated lot of people who work for supporting and feeding the Parikrama Vasis pass by this area. It is located just besides the Narmada ghat. We could see the flowing Naramada around from the terrace of this place. Very nice and kind arrangements were made for us even if we arrived at 9:30pm in the night.
Day 4
In the morning, we met the Saint Swami Bhagwan Prakash ji at the Bishnoi Ashram and took his blessings. We were served fruits and the tea after taking a nice bath there.
There is a beautiful temple of Shri Siddheshwar Mahadev on the bank of Narmada ji.
This place is also know the Nabhi or the centre point of Narmada ji.
Today we halted at the Satdhara in the Barman ghat at the Harihar Ashram. We met the Maharaj ji of Harihar Ashram. He recommended us to feed the pigeons and crows regularly to be in abundance. Very nice and serene climate. We could see the the River from this place clearly.
We were served with Bengan Bharta made of special Bengan in this area, daal, gud and the multi grain Roti. It was a nice dinner for all.
We closed our day with the Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada Stuti.
Day 5
We met the Maharaj ji of Harihar Ashram and started off after our bath in the river. It was very cold only three of us could go for the bath. Rest had the bath in Ashram. He advised to keep repeating (japa) the Guru Mantra all the time in the parikrama to maximize the benefit.
We visited the smaller Bheda ghat. We did our daily Naramada Puja at the ghat. Again a very nice view. The Narmada ji was seen becoming narrower as we proceeded upwards towards Amarkantak.
On the way to Amarkantak, we met Shri Satish Chaube (standing near Swami ji in the photograph). He along with many volunteers run an a country wide organisation for supporting the Naramada Parikrama. This organisation is called as Maa Naramada Parikrama Seva Sangh. This organisation connects people without any discrimination of caste or creed with a common point of love for Narmada. Be tree plantation, tribal development or water conservation, they spread it though this Sangathan. Here is a link of the
Fb page of this group which may prove helpful in various ways.
The roads to Amarkantak were not great. We had to hold the Uttar Tat or the Northern side of the river as part of the Parikrama vrat and hence the roads were more rural and passing through the forests. On the other hand, the views were very good and the climate was worth enjoying. We could many Parikrama Vasis the first time moving towards Amarkantak.
Finally we made it the Amarkantak. We immediately went to the Udgam sthan. There is a nice temple painted in all white around the kund which is neatly divided in the Uttar Tat and Dakshin Tat for the Parikrama Vasis. The Naramada Aarti was in the happening very incidentally. We all joined in full devotion.
We met a Purohit ji at Amarkantak temple. He was impressive in the way we weaved the Shastra Vachan to prove that we were the greatest of the Tirth Yatra and this is the place which is been visited by almost all Devas, Danavas, Yakshas who wanted the spiritual or the material fulfilments.
We stayed at one of the Ashram in Amarkantak for the night halt with all basic eminities this night.
Day 6
We got ready and left for our final Puja for this Yatra on the Uttar Tat or the Northern Bank of Maa Naramada. The same pandit ji came and did the ritual with special jalabhishek on the Amareshwar Mahadev. This was one of the rare Pandits who did it with full passion in the diety and the people worshipping. I couldn't capture in a picture as he escaped to some other routine before we were done with the discussion just after the Puja.
We also visited the Kapil Dhara and the Dudh Dhara which are considered to be small streams which make to Join Naramada at Amarkantak. Nice forest walk and a tracking of around 4 kms interior. We had to still keep the Maryada of Uttar Tat and had to travel a bit longer to keep ourselves that side.
After this there is a small ritual called That Parivartan which we did at a small stream and started our journey on the Dakshin Tat now. We went back to offer a special Kanya Pujan after the cross over at the same temple and same Pandit ji but on the other side.
Due to Swami Akshayanand ji, we got a lot of support everywhere mainly from the RSS karyakartas. Shri Dinesh ji was there with us almost all the time guiding us all the way. He was a local RSS karyakarta. What a selfless passion.
On the way from Amarkantak to Maharajpur, we met a few more walking Parikrama Vasis. We planned to distribute home made biscuits we brought to consume on the way to them. When we met them, one of them told us that there is a blind person doing the Parikrama on his own. That person requested us to serve him. We all went and met him, served him the biscuits and also offered coffee. The amount of confidence and faith he carried was mind-blowing. He was traveling since more than 40 days on his feet and had now even faced a minor injury anywhere.
We again met a group of youth who wanted us to visit their seva prakalp at Dindori which was nearby. We had to deny this and move on to our planned destination. What a spirit to serve!! They see each Parikrama Vasi as God.
We decided to stay at Maharajpur Ghat which is around 200 kms from Amarkantak. It is a place where a lot of Parikrama Vasis get shelter. The villagers have paid as well as free facilities of the people both for stay and food. We finished our daily Path and slept in a common room here.
As days pass by, one becomes more and more grounded, flexible and happier in basic eminities. The acceptance increases and gratitude quotient towards everything goes up drastically.
Day 7
We started off from Maharajpur Sangam, after the regular Narmada puja Ghat towards Narmadapuram or earstwhile Hoshangabad. See the fine clay like sand on this ghat. We witnessed the sand changing from hard big rocks to smaller pebbles to Reti to the fine Clay on different banks of the same Narmada as we moved towards the Amarkantak.
On the way we had very nice breakfast of Samosa, daal wada, poha and tea from a roadside stall. The lady there was happily serving us. She didn't even count the plates she served and requested us to do the calculation. May be they smelled that we are on the Parikrama and didn't want to distrust us.
We reached at Chichot after a long journey today of around 465 kms. It was a pleasant one though when we saw a nice Sanskrit Pathshala called the Vedic Vidyapeetham, right on the banks of Naramada ji with more than 100 kids learning Vedas, Shastras and Sanskrit.
Immediately after freshening up, we went to pray Narama ji. The dinner was served at 6:30pm as per the schedule of the Pathashala.
We were liked as we all were speaking Sanskrit amongst ourselves. One of the seniors from the Vedik Vidyapeetham Pathshala team came and invited us for a program where we will talk with the children Learning in the morning next day at 9am. We agreed that we shall not travel much the next day. We need some slow down and also washing and drying clothes was pending for a while. Even the car got a nice wash with the abundant water in the campus.
Day 8
Arrangements for the stay by the Pathshala were really nice. We had separate cots with a good pillow and all bedding required. We all were in a common room but the same was nicely lit and airy.
In the morning, we all woke up at around 6:15pm and got ready by 7pm. While all others were washing and drying clothes, i was doing my routine Sunday Geeta Session. We had a nice breakfast of Daliya and fresh milk from the Goshala.
Than was the session where we met children in their common assembly hall. They had organised a formal session and than the motivational speach by Shri Padmakumar ji and a few words by Swami Akshayanand ji. The hall was very nice and we were given special seats in between the kids.
After this, we went to see the Nitya Chaitanya Das Swami ji of the Tilak Ashram, Chichot. This Ashram has donated the 25 acres of land parcel for developement of the Sanskrit Pathashala. We prayed to Dakshinabhimukh Hanuman ji there. Serene vibes of the ashram filled our hearts.
In the afternoon, post lunch, Archana was excited to conduct a demo Sanskrit class for the kids. All of them had a great time while the others were taking one of it's kind afternoon knap.
We left for Handwa Shiv Karuna Dham. The place is really beautiful. It has been developed by Swami Raghavendranand ji. A visionary and long-term project which has come u only in last 8 years on the banks of Narmada ji is really examplary. The Swami ji met us and shared his experiences. He has also started a Gurukulam project called Shri Adya Shankaracharya Gurulam for the children to get an alternative medium of learning. We discussed about how Sanskrit Sambhashan can be a great catalyst to the Gurukulam learning environment and interest in the Shastras.
We ended our day in astonishment as to what is the source of capital for building such great projects and what gives management skills and vision to the Sanyasins. We said they have all this motivation coming from some higher source.
Day 9
We had a nice breakfast of Aloo Paratha and Achaar in the morning along with Swami Raghavendranand ji and other Sanyasins. Swami ji was very coutous and requested all of us to have stomach full of Parathas. He knew that we may not have anything for lunch. Infact we didn't have any fullfledged lunch except one day till this day. We once again took the Darshan of great Vigrah of Rajarajeshwari Mata, Shivji and Hanuman ji in this amazing Shiv Karuna Dham temple. This made us feel really complete.
We left for Omkareshwar. Omkareshwar as such is on an island and we as Parikrama Vasis can't visit the temple. But we decided to do Mamaleshwar which is on the Dakshin Tat, again a jyotirlinga. We offered our Puja to Narmada ji on a ghat near the temple and visited the temple for Abhishek. Nice transperant water and Omkareshwar dam was visible from this Ghat.
From here we left to visit Shri Siyaram baba at Teli Bhatiyan on the bank of Narmada ji. He is around 110 years old wearing only Langoti. He keeps doing the Tulasi Ramayana path while people come to take his Darshan.
On the way to Narmadalaya, we met a lot walking Parikrama Vasis on the move. We thought of doing some seva by offering fruits to them. What a great will power and tapas required for do this walking Parikrama which goes on for more than four months in general. Once can't carry stuff for so many months and so he has to depend on the seva from the people around in the villages and people like us.
After this, we started for Narmadalaya, a project for schooling and skill development for the tribal people by Bharati Didi. This lady just decided to settle at the bank of Narmada from her earlier residence at Nashik after her Parikrama of Narmada ji. She developed interest in teaching Tribal people. She actually comes from defence background but developed a great project which is now very popular in this area. We could see the Adivasi students getting introduced to the new age technology like laser cutting and even 3D printing. She is again an example of a person who achieved Vairagya by worshipping Naramada, decided to devote her life for others and was equipped with everything required to do this work effortlessly.
Now she has taken Sanyas from Ramkrishna Parampara. She looks really pure and focussed in the saffrons.
Apart from this project, she serves the Parikrama Vasis as well. They have developed a nice guesthouse where she hosts all the Parikrama Vasis. We had nice Rota, Pithla and even Jilabi with her in the dinner in the evening.
Day 10
After breakfast at the Narmadalaya, we left for Gora, Rajpipla. We also happened to purchase nice souvenirs for our friends and family from the things made by the Adivashi Samaj as inspired by Didi. They make nice Kurtis for ladies and also nests for the birds.
We coincidentally met a group from Kalyan, Maharashtra lead by Manjiri Phadke Tai who promote BhagwadGeeta. We connected well and planned to start their classes in Roha as well. The Naramada Parikrama provides a lot of networking opportunities with the like minded people.
I was deliberating on the idea of being Parivrajaka, the one who keeps moving while doing his tapas. We should be trying this on the various banks of Naramada for a longer while to experience the deeper vibes.
We reached Gujarat after crossing the Shahada and Prakasha which are in Maharashtra borders. We had a nice heavy Khaman and Gota Gujarati breakfast at the Ajay Nashta corner in Dedhia Pada.
After this we settled that night on the banks of Naramada ji bang opposite the newly developed Ekta Nagar. The Ashram is called the Anand Ashray Dham lead by Swami Krupanand Saraswati ji. We could see the Statue of Unity standing as pride of Bharat on the other side of the bank we were. We did our daily Naramada Aarti in the evening as since the morning we were not able to do it on the way. It was dark and airy on the banks and we could see the lights on the other side.
Day 11
We woke up early and decided to take the bath in Naramada river where nice Ghat is built by the Ashram we were in.
After this, we met Swami Krupanand ji and finished our Poha breakfast with the tea.
The Ashram had great temple again having Rajarajeshwari Devi similar to the Shiv Karuna Dham. Both ashrams managed by the deciples of Swami Yogananda ji.
We left the Ashram to reach Vimaleshwar which is considered to be the meeting point bank of the Sea with River Naramada. This is the point from where people go by the boats to cross over to the other side again. We came to know after reaching here that we can't go to the other side as it was low tide. We will have to wait till next day morning for getting into the boat and crossing over. We were caught unprepared for this situation. It was beyond our imagination or we should have planned for the same a little more.
Small village with almost no eminities. No restaurant was found around. No Anna kshetra around which feeds people doing Parikrama on the vehicle. Swamiji went around and requested a tea stall people to make us rice. We had our rice and Dahi on the side of the temple in a paper plate with a lot of difficulty. I was thinking that this lesson was required to pull us from our comfort zone on the eating choices.
We stayed at Vimaleshwar at the Birla Dharmashala. The arrangements are really good for the Parikrama Vasis. After the food experience we never thought that there will be such a nice place to stay in that place.
In the evening after our afternoon knap, we got a chance to go around and have tea. We also had Desi cow milk from a cow grazing villager. We also got a secret place where we could go and have food in a villager's house. It was amazing Khichadi and Sabji there. The family served with full faith.
Day 12
We all got ready in the nice facility of Sarala Birla Dharma Shala and left with all the material. After our tea and coffee, we left for the jetty from which the boats leave for crossing the sea to the another side or Dakshin Tat of the Naramada ji. The local Maruti Eco or Omni cars drop us two kms inside to the jetty. All Mangroves around and no water. We could cross over the creaks from the fragile bamboo bridges. One thing we should be keeping in our mind is not to get the shoes or chappals inside as they are not allowed in the boats. They can go with the car to the Mithi Talai via the golden bridge.
There was Narmade Har everywhere. Around 400 of devotees on the jetty singing the names of Narmada ji.
We were literally waiting for the water to arrive in the creaks and boats to start.... different experience all together.
Finally our patience were put to an end. The journey was a bit uncomfortable with sun on our heads. Good the Archana carried caps for this possibility. People were busy with the Narmada Bhajans and other Sankirtan. A lot of enthusiasm amidst all odds.
After crossing the Samudra Sangam with Narmada, we finally made it to Mithi Talai, the Dakshin Tat or the Southern bank.
The name Mithi Talai means a well with sweet water inside. We actually noticed this water well just our side the salty see. Everyone enjoyed washing and bathing in this sweet water after coming out from the Boat which ran in a the salty sea for more than three hours. I was thinking the truth is almighty and could make anything possible anywhere effortlessly.
Finally we reached at the Reva Samadarshan Ashram from where we started the Parikrama. Did a good Puja and than Kanya Bhojan was accomplished. Narmada ji is considered as a Kumarika, an unmarried girl. Hence, it is important for all Parikrama Vasis to serve small Kumarika Kanya or girls.
we could arrange for everything in this small village called Hirjipura only because of Swami Akshayanand ji. His planning and support helped all the while.
Here we had Darshan ji from Bhasha Gruham to meet us all at the Ashram. He stays in Vadodara. We know him since many years as the Karyakarta of Sanskrita Bharati. It was pleasure catching up after many years with him today. This became a pleasant part of our meetings with great people in the Naramada Parikrama.
Day 13
We wake up at the Reva Samadarshan Ashram right at 6am. We started our Shiv Arti 6:30am. Today was a special Shodas-Upchar-Pooja. The 16 step Pooja of Narmada ji. The Purohit was our own Swami Akshayanand ji. This started at 8pm and got over before 10am.
We than moved to Chanod to see the Kubereshwar Mahadev and than Chinta Haran Hanuman ji once again. This was like a conclusion of the formal Naramada Parikrama. We finished our lunch at the Chinta Haran Hanuman ji temple and came back to the Reva Samadarshan Ashram.
While coming back to Mumbai, during our 7.5 hours or travel, we carried the sweet memories of all the places, the Sadhus and the vibrations. This Parikrama is going to be staying in our memories for ever now. Our hearts were full of gratitude
Resources worth sharing
We have been collecting books, links, maps, contacts on our way which may prove useful to many. That's why adding this para for sharing those here.. let me keep adding stuff one by one..
1. The Google map pins we followed with the
locations we visited on both sides of Narmada.
Some recommendations
1. Don't loitre on any ghat or temples around. We are responsible to keep them tidy for other visitors later.
2. Don't underestimate a saint or a Samyasin or a Sadhu you meet on the way. If you can't appreciate, just bow down and move on.
3. Make an attempt to donate in whatever manner and form possible to the places serving the people on the way.
4. Keep a tab on the route. As a Parikrama Vasi, avoid crossing the Narmada ji mainstream anywhere on the way.
5. Don't search for any hotel or guesthouse on the way. Just find people, groups, ashrams, organisations who are there everywhere to help you with all the basic needs.
6. Don't carry your footwear for the boat journey from Vimaleshwar to Mithi Talai. They don't allow footwear onboard and you may have to throw them away.
Do suggest if you want any specific inclusions or even exclusions. Also your comments are welcome on the flow and the content.
नर्मदे हर!
