Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama: Back to the Roots

Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama: Back to the Roots

                     

Hi, 

        So this is the first time in a year that I am writing the blog immediately after coming from the excursion or trip or trek, whatever you say. Normally I do write next week or sometime after months also. but what motivated me to write immediately after coming from this one? 

                      

                     

          The fact that kids are surprising us after each and every trail. Or the fact that why we have not heard about this one in all these years? Or the dedication and faith of the people living in the vicinity of the river. The way they are committing their time and energy for people like us is commendable. They're not doing it as a sense of duty. It is their selfless act of kindness... Will talk about it later in the blog.

   

                        

          First, let me start with a brief introduction to parikrama. As we all know Narmada river starts from Amarkantak and ends at Bharuch and Narmada parikrama means circumambulating the river. You can start at any point and then you need to come to that point again. The total journey is around 3500 km. Yes, you read it right. It is just close to the famous Appalachian trail in USA (3540 km). 

                     

           Many of us won't be able to do the whole Narmada Parikarma and this Uttarvahini Parikrama is the best option for us. Whenever any river goes from south to north direction, it is very auspicious. And this Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama is as propitious as the main Narmada Parikarma and it's done in the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar. 

                             

           Narmada runs from south to north direction from village Rampura near Garudeshwar to Tilakwada (near Men- Narmada river Sangam). So this is the path of Uttaravahini Narmada parikarama. You can start from Rampura or you can start from Tilakwada also. 

        

                       

          We left for Tilakwada at around 5 am and started our parikrama by 6:30. But we were late as we met many people coming from the Rampura side at that time so they have already finished half of their journey by then. So our advice is to start early at around 4:00 am so you can avoid heat. 

                    

           In Tialkwada the parikrama starts at Maninageshwar Mahadev temple. The path is very well marked. From concrete roads to farms and fields, from Narmada on your right side to Banana plantations on either side and beautiful temples, this path has all of these!

           

                          

                          

           And what can I say about the hospitality of nearby villagers? At specific intervals, you will get water, chhas, sharbat, and snacks. Their altruistic behaviors toward 'parikramavasi' are mind-blowing. We truly cherished the value of our beliefs and our roots. This is our true India, where people believe in the beliefs of people, irrespective of their names, their religion, or their status. On many stalls they have mentioned ' please don't offend us by giving us money.  We were speechless! 

                      

                     

                             

          From Tilakwada you have to go  Rengan village and from here you can take a boat service which charges 20 Rs per person. On this way, there were many kids from nearby villages. Please keep a few handy treats for them. No! they do not expect that. It is totally your choice. 

                       

            From Rengan boat will take you to Rampura. Most people start their journey from this side. One free medical camp is also there at this site. 

                            

             Now you have to go from Rampura to Guvar. At this site, the journey is mainly through a concrete road as compared to the opposite side. Once you reach Gopaleshwar, you have to take a right turn and you will be walking by the riverside from now onwards. 

                       

                             

           At this end also they have good boat service with the same charges. But on the opposite end, the sand is very sticky and with a slit so be careful at this end. After this, you can clean your feet at beautiful Narmada Men sanagm where you can literally feel the urgency in Men river water to meet Maa Reva. The way the small stream of Men is gushing into mighty Narmada is a sight to behold. Take a dip here and you will feel blessed. Our kids were at this place for more than 45 minutes. It's like all our weariness was disappeared in those minutes. From this Sangam you need to climb a steep stairs and reach Vasudev Kutir and from there via Tilakwada village you will reach Maninagenswar temple. 

                      

         So shout out to all people, please spread the word about this and embark upon this journey, if not spiritual then just as an experience. We bet you won't be disappointed and by the end of your journey you will definitely shout - "Narmada Har". That's the power of our river.  Definitely, you will be in a state of lassitude but still, there will be immense positivity in you. 

Narmade Har

SaSha

                    

Points to consider:

1) This is a very well-marked trail and you will meet thousands of parikramavasi like you, so there is no concern about safety.

2) Government has also kept toilets at many places.

3) You can take your water but there are stalls at regular intervals.

4) Please don't litter. Keep our rivers clean. 

5) One of the ideas to write this blog today only is that, this is just the second day of Chaitra month so you still have 4 Sundays with you. 

6) It is mentioned at places that the total path is 20 km but it is not more than 15 km. 

7) In one of the images there is a contact number, you can ask on it also.