Narmadā

Revā, the river of Śiva · Amarkantak to the Gulf of Khambhat

The Narmadā rises at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and flows west to the Arabian Sea through Gujarat. Smooth stones from her bed, the bāṇaliṅgas or narmadeśvara, are worshipped as natural Śiva-liṅgas in homes and temples; a popular saying is that every pebble of the Narmadā is a Śaṅkara.

The Narmadā Parikramā is a unique pilgrimage: walking the whole length of the river, from source to sea along one bank and back along the other, without crossing it, a journey of several months. Omkāreśvar and Maheśvar are among the holy towns on her banks. Narmadā Jayantī falls in Māgha.

Tradition says the Narmadā was born from Śiva while he was in deep meditation, which is why she is called Śāṅkarī, the daughter of Śiva. Another tradition says that while one must bathe in the Gaṅgā for purification, even the sight (darśana) of the Narmadā is enough.

Madhya Pradesh · Gujarat · Narmadā Parikramā · Bāṇaliṅga · Narmadā Jayantī

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