Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama: A Divine Experience

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Narmada... What is so mystical about this mesmerising word? This divine word has immersed in me so much that it lingers in my mind all through the day and night.

Around four years back, I found a book on Narmada Parikrama, by the name "Narmade Har" written by Shri Jagannath Kunte. I was overwhelmed by reading this book. This Marathi book has succeeded in propagating the knowledge, reaching every nook and corner of Maharashtra, about the importance of Narmada Maiya (mother) and about Narmada Parikrama (Narmada Parikrama is walking along the shore of the river, keeping mother Narmada to one's right side, total stretch being around 3200-3500 kms, starting from one point of shore and reaching back to the same point, completing the circumambulation by walk). Thereafter, I read a lot of books depicting knowledge about mother Narmada and Narmada Parikrama. While reading, I was determined to do this Parikrama, not sure when, but was optimistic to do it in my lifetime. Having heard so much about this Maiya, who is considered to be Jagat Janani, I had an urge to visit the shore of Narmada and have a holy bath.

Meanwhile, I came to know about Uttarvahini Parikrama that has been taking place during Chaitra, a Hindu calendar month, where the Parikrama of mother Narmada is performed by walking along the shore of mother Narmada river, a distance of 21 kms. This can be done in a day. I registered myself at once with a travel company which was organising this. With this first Parikrama for a day, I got an opportunity to have darshan and holy bath for the first time. Then on, my devotion towards the mother Narmada kept on enhancing. Even after returning to Pune, my mind kept wandering on the enchanting shores of the mother Narmada.

Blessings on behalf of Swamiji (Shri Swami Samarth) to the ardent devotee of Swamiji, Shri Hrishikesh Oza. Among the major rivers "Narmada: is the great river. There is mention about the major rivers in Puranas (ancient literature, stories written in verses) such as its speciality, information, greatness, stories of its origin, life stories, rituals, etc., but there is no mention about the Parikrama of rivers. Only mother Narmada is unique in the sense, there is a significance of doing Parikrama of this river.

In Skanda Purana, a section called Reva khand, there is detailed information about the Narmada Parikrama. Availability of time, physical ability and mental preparedness are the prerequisites for performing Parikrama, by only those who fulfill these prerequisites.

There is mention in Skand Purana of this Parikrama to be performed in the month of Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar. This Parikrama is called "Uttarvahini Parikrama". Shri Hrishikesh Oza has taken a lot of effort in explaining in detail about the Parikrama, its procedure, rituals to be performed, route map for the Parikrama, places of pilgrimage. and their importance, on route to Parikrama and nearby pilgrimage centres. All required information is nicely described in the book. I am sure this book would succeed in providing all the guidance and inspire the devotees to perform this Parikrama.

**Contents and Sample Pages**