The annual Uttarvahini Panchkoshi Narmada Parikrama, a revered spiritual journey, is set to commence on 29 March and will continue until 27 April.
This sacred pilgrimage, covering a 14-kilometre stretch along the Narmada River, is expected to draw thousands of devotees from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and other regions.
The Narmada River, which flows through Vadodara and Narmada districts, takes a rare northward turn for approximately six kilometres in the Narmada district. This natural phenomenon is considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition, prompting the annual Parikrama during the Chaitra month.
Extensive Preparations for a Seamless Pilgrimage
To ensure a smooth experience for the large number of devotees expected to participate, extensive arrangements are being made under the guidance of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
The Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board, in collaboration with the Narmada District Administration and the State Government, has allocated ₹3.82 crore to develop essential facilities along the Parikrama route.
Temporary arrangements have been put in place to accommodate pilgrims, with large pavilions, seating, barricading, lighting, toilet blocks, and changing rooms being set up at various ghats, including Shaherav Ghat, Rengan Ghat, Rampura Ghat, and Tilakwada Ghat.
Additionally, medical booths, drinking water facilities, CCTV surveillance, police booths, warning boards, and signages have been installed to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
To assist elderly and differently-abled devotees, the authorities have arranged seating areas, toilet units, and emergency response equipment such as JCBs, cranes, and ropes. Parking spaces, watchtowers, food stalls, and bathing facilities have also been prepared along the route.
Narmada: The Only River With a Sacred Pilgrimage
The Narmada River holds a unique place in spiritual tradition, as it is the only river in the world where a Parikrama is undertaken as an act of devotion. While rivers like the Ganges and Yamuna are revered, the Puranas state that merely having darshan of the Narmada is considered spiritually liberating.
With over 1.50 lakh rivers globally, including 400 in India and around 185 in Gujarat, none other than the Narmada is honoured with a sacred circumambulation.
The full Narmada Parikrama is a 2,624-kilometre journey from its origin at Amarkantak to its meeting point at the Gulf of Khambhat. However, for those unable to complete the entire pilgrimage, the Uttarvahini Panchkoshi Yatra offers a spiritually equivalent alternative.
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