Page 257 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

M ADH Y A PR ADESH & CHHA T TISGARH  255

The Narmada River

Rising in the Amarkantak Plateau, where the Vindhya and Satpura ranges meet, the
Narmada flows westward for 1,247 km (775 miles), across the states of Madhya Pradesh
and Gujarat before entering the Arabian Sea. One of India’s seven sacred rivers, the
Narmada, according to Hindu mythology, was born of Lord Shiva’s sweat when
he performed his cosmic dance (see p570). The Narmada is also believed to be the
embodiment of purity, and a legend holds that every year the polluted Ganges comes
in the guise of a dark woman, and takes a purifying dip in the Narmada. Sugarcane,
cotton and bananas grow along the river, whose banks are lined with temples.
Dhuandhar Falls
are in a scenic spot,
where the river
drops 25 m (82 ft)
down from the
Amarkantak
Plateau. The name
Dhuandhar means
“Stream of Smoke”.
Narmada Kund, at Amarkantak (“Neck of
Shiva”), marks the source of the river. It is
surrounded by 16th-century temples.

Omkareshwar
Maheshwar has is an Om-shaped
beautifully carved island at the Chausath Yogini Temple, which
riverfront temples confluence of dates to the 10th century, is on a
and 28 bathing ghats. the Narmada hilltop near the Marble Rocks.
and the Kaveri.
Jabalpur
•
Bhedaghat • • Chausath
Dhuandhar • Yogini Temple
Falls •
• Hoshangabad Amarkantak
Mandla •
GUJARAT Maheshwar • • MADHYA PRADESH
Omkareshwar
• At Mandla, the river
Sardar Sarovar Dam
takes a sharp turn.
MAHARASHTRA
Arabian
Sea
Sethanighat Temple at
Hoshangabad has an image
of the Goddess Narmada.

The Narmada Parikrama,
undertaken by many sadhus,
is a pilgrimage on foot along
The Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat, where the fast-flowing river both banks of the river. It
has cut a gorge, are especially spectacular on a moonlit night. covers 2,600 km (1,616 miles)
Boat rides are the best way to experience their beauty. and takes about three years.

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