Narmada River
There are many legends behind the birth of the Narmada River. The origin and glories of the Narmada River are mentioned in Matsya, Kurma and Skanda Puranas along with Harivamsa, Shatapatha Brahmana, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
While it is said in the Ramayana that the birthplace of Narmada was a part of the Ayodhya kingdom, Mahabharata says that after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas spent some time in Amarkantak, the birthplace of Narmada.
Narmada River – Emerged from Lord Shiva’s Body
Narmada is said to have originated from the body of Lord Shiva. Once upon a time, there was a great famine on earth. At least there is no water to drink. With this famine, all the inhabitants of the earth have suffered. Sages and Gods visited Satyaloka and prayed to Lord Brahma to save the inhabitants of Bhuloka from the terrible famine conditions.
After thinking for a while, Lord Brahma said that Lord Shiva was the only one who could save him from this situation and took all the sages and gods with him and reached Kailasa. He explained the famine situation in the world to Lord Shiva and asked him to save the inhabitants of the world.
Granting their wish, Lord Shiva sent them all away and reached with his deveri Parvati to the top of ‘Rikshaparvatam’ (mountain) and started doing penance. During this penance, drops of sweat fell from Lord Shiva’s body. Those drops turned into a stream and became a river Narmada.
Meanwhile, the river turned into a woman, bowed down to Lord Shiva and received blessings – “you will flourish with undiminished water”. After receiving blessings from Lord Shiva, Narmada turned back into a river. In this way, the Narmada River emerged from Lord Shiva’s body.
Narmada River – Lord Brahma’s tears
There is also a legend that the water from Lord Brahma’s eyes became the Narmada River. In the past, when there was a terrible famine in the world, sages and gods went to Lord Brahma, the creator, and explained the conditions of the famine and prayed to remove the famine. Hearing their prayers, Lord Brahma reached Bhuloka to see the situation for himself.
Lord Brahma saw the famine conditions in the world and the misery of the people there. Seeing all this, Lord Brahma was distressed. Tears fell from Lord Brahma’s eyes. Those drops fell down and turned into a stream and became a river, and the water of that river removed the famine of the earth.
Narmada River – Daughter of the moon
‘Narmada’ is said to be the daughter of Moon in the Harivamsam. Nagas rule the Naga kingdom in the pathaalaloka. There were also some Gandharvas in the pathaalaloka. Among them ‘Moneyus’ are Powerful.
Once Moneyus invaded the Naga kingdom defeated the Nagas and occupied Naga kingdom. After lost their kingdom, the Nagas approached Lord Vishnu and prayed to save them and restore their kingdom. Hearing their prayers Lord Vishnu advised that – “You consult Purukutsu, son of Mandhata who was born of my element. He will help you”.
Later, the Nagas approached Moon and asked him to help in provoking Purukutsu, Moon replied that you should ask for his daughter Narmada. With this the Nagas prayed to Narmada, who instigated Purukutsa. It is said that Purukutsa, enamoured by the charms of Narmada, reached the Patalaloka, defeated the Gandharvas and handed over the kingdom of Nagas to the Nagas.
The Nagadevatas were pleased and gave a boon i.e., Those who remember the names of Narmada, and Purukutsu will not be afraid of snake poison. It is said in the Harivamsa that Narmada and Purukutsu, who were in affection with each other, got married and had a son named ‘Trasadanya’.
Meanwhile, it is remarkable that people who are afraid of snakes and poisons remember and worship the river Narmada even today in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states.
Names of Narmada River
It is said that the name ‘Narmada’ river originated from the body of Lord Shiva and brought happiness to Lord Shiva. Narmada also has the names ‘Rudrakanyaka’ and ‘Sankari’ as it emerged from the body of Lord Shiva. The Narmada flows with loud roaring waves to reach her husband Samudra.
Hence the name ‘Rewa’ came to the river Narmada. Narmada is referred to as ‘Rewa’ river in a hymn related to Pushkaras. Along with these names ‘Somodbhava’ and ‘Mekhala Kanyaka’ are also there. Narmada has many tributaries, Bangar, Sher, Shakkar, Tawa, Chotatawa, Kanjal, Hiras River are tributaries of Narmada.
Narmada River – Fifth Largest River
The river Narmada originates at an altitude of about 1060 meters above sea level in ‘Amarakantak’ in the eastern part of the Vindhya mountain ranges, about 137 km from Anupur in the Anupur district of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Narmada is the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent and the third largest river flowing entirely within India.
All the rivers of our country flow from west to east and join the eastern sea. But unlike that, the Narmada River flows from east to west and merges into the sea in the west. Along with this river, the Tapathi and Mahi rivers of our country also flow from east to west.
Born in Amarkantak, the Narmada River joins the Arabian Sea at Chambat, about 30 km from Barochi in Gujarat. The river travels some distance from there and plunges from a height of 80 feet at Kapidhara Falls.
The Narmada, which travels from the Mandara mountains, flows through the valleys between the Vindya and Satpura mountain ranges. This place is called Narmadaloka. Broach (Bharukachamu) at the mouth of the Narmada River flourished as a port town on the west coast during the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta empires, along with the Satavahanas, the first independent kingdom that ruled South India along with Andhra.
Through this port, the respective rulers conducted foreign trade profitably.
Meanwhile, many Shiv Lingas are rolling in the streams of the Narmada River. These are known as ‘Banalingas’. These are the most sacred. These are collected and placed in the pooja mandir and worshipped.
Projects on the Narmada River
History tells us that the construction of projects on the Narmada River started about a century ago. During the British rule in the year 1909, the construction of a project on the Narmada River for irrigation for agriculture was started for the first time.
At present there are 281 projects including small and big projects on the Narmada River. These include the Tawa Project in Hoshangabad district, the Sardar Sarovar Project in Gujarat State, Rani Avanti Bhai Sagar Project in Jabalpur district, the Omkareshwar Project in Omkareshwar Kshetra and Indira Sagar Project in Khandwa District.
The water of this river contributes a lot to the development of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Narmada Pushkaras
Pushkaras are held for the Narmada River when Bruhaspathi enters Vrishabha Rasi (Jupiter enters Taurus). The Narmada pushkaras were held earlier in the year 2012. Again this year i.e. 2024, Pushkaras will be held from 1st to 12th May. Narmada is the most holy river.
As per Puranas just touching the water of Ganga gives sanctity and just seeing Narmada gives sanctity. Darshan of Narmada, born from Lord Shiva’s body, bathing in the river, performing pujas on the banks of the river, and doing charity will result in infinite blessings.
Temples on the banks of Narmada
There are many kshetras and temples on the banks of the Narmada River. Devotees will visit those places on the occasion of pushkaras for the Narmada River: Amarakantak, Maheswar, Bedhaghat, Omkareswar, Nareswar and Garudewar are important kshetras.
Amarkantak
Amarkantak is 575 km from Bhopal, 764 km from Ujjain and 120 km from Bilaspur. Pendroad Railway Station on the Indore Bilaspur Railway line is the nearest Railway Station to Amarkantak. Amarkantak is 30 km from Pendroad railway station and has a bus and private vehicle facility.
In Amarkantak, accommodation facilities are available for devotees. In Amarakantak, Sri Narmadadevi temple and Sri Amarakanteswara Swamy temple along with many other temples are important.
Maheshwar
Maheshwar is 91 km from Indore, 276 km from Bhopal, 149 km from Ujjain, 70 km from Omkareshwar, and 57 km from the district headquarters Khargone. Maheshwar has bus facilities from Khargone, Indore, and Omkareshwar.
Accommodation facilities for devotees are available in Maheswar. In Maheswar, the Fort and Big Temple complex is also there. Rajarajeswara Swamy is the main deity of Maheswar.
Bedaghat
Bedaghat is just five kilometres from Jabalpur, has bus service from Jabalpur. There is always a transport facility due to the many visitors coming to see the waterfalls here. Accommodation facilities are available for devotees in private lodges in Bedaghat. In Bedhaghat Chousath Yogini Temple is an important temple.
Omkareshwar
Omkareshwar is 80 km from Indore, 70 km from Khandwa, 150 km from Ujjain and 981 km from Vijayawada. The nearest railway station to Omkareshwar is Omkareshwar Road. It is about 16 km away from Omkareshwar.
Only passenger trains stop here. So it is better to reach Indore or Khandwa and from there take a bus to Omkareshwar. Accommodation facilities are available for devotees in Dharamshalas in Omkareshwar. Omkareshwar is the fourth Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Kshetra.
There are bus facilities from Vadodara to Nareshwar, which is 60 km from Vadodara, 30 km from Curzon and 40 km from Baruha. Vadodara has train facilities from major railway stations in Telugu states. Limited Accommodation facilities are available in Nareswar.
Garudeshwar
Nareswar Sri Dattatreya Swamy temple and Sri Rang Avadhootha temple are important places. Garudeshwar is 188 km from Ahmedabad and 74 km from Vadodara and has bus facilities from Vadodara. Limited Accommodation facilities are available in Garudeswar.
In Garudeswar, Sri Dattatreya Swamy temple and Sri Tembe Swamy Avadhootha temple are important places. Among the above places, Narmadapuram which is 18 kilometers from Itarsi on Itarsi-Bhopal railway line is an important place for Narmada Pushkaras.
Train facilities available to Narmadapuram from Gudur, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Warangal of Telugu States.
Article posted in Sapthagiri magazine by – Dr I.L.N. Chandra Sekhar Rao
