What is Narmada Parikrama?

Narmada Parikrama is a sacred circumambulation of the holy Narmada River, one of India's most ancient spiritual pilgrimage traditions. It involves walking the entire length of the river, visiting sacred sites, temples, and experiencing spiritual transformation.

How long does Narmada Parikrama take?

Our organized scientific Narmada Parikrama tour takes 18 days, covering major pilgrimage sites including Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Amarkantak, and other sacred locations along the Narmada River.

Who can do Narmada Parikrama?

Anyone can do Narmada Parikrama. There is no barrier regardless of race, caste, religion, gender or age. The Parikrama traditionally begins after Prabodhini Ekadashi.

What is the cost of Narmada Parikrama from Thane?

Please contact us for current Narmada Parikrama tour package pricing from Thane. Our packages include transportation, accommodation, meals, and guided visits to all major pilgrimage sites.

Narmada Parikrama Tour 2025 - 18 Days Sacred Yatra from Thane

About Narmada Parikrama

Sacred Tradition of River Circumambulation

In Indian culture, rivers are considered as the mother of the people, i.e. deities. Since our ancestors were aware of the divine influence of rivers, an ancient tradition of expressing reverence, gratitude and respect for rivers has been practiced in this land. Of course, there are various customs, methods and rituals to express all this. One of such unique and unique traditions on earth is the "Narmada Parikrama"!

Cultural & Spiritual Significance

The Narmada Parikrama, as per the scriptures, is a precious treasure of Indian culture and identity. However, due to the lack of objective information on this matter, the difficulty of the Parikrama is unnecessarily exaggerated. Due to the lack of sufficient attention to the essence and greatness of the Parikrama, people who wish to go for the Narmada Parikrama find themselves in a dilemma.

The Philosophy of Renunciation

The real reason behind this tradition of Bhil robbers in the forest of Shulpani is that while circumambulating the Narmada, the devotees intend to renounce delusion, attachment, and greed. But since that renunciation does not happen easily, the banks of the Narmada must have made it an "opportunity" to learn this lesson.

Benefits of Narmada Parikrama

Although the benefits of Narmada Parikrama are said to be a radical transformation in the person who performs the Parikrama, upliftment and strengthening of the mind, purification, and the elimination of both physical and mental defects, resulting in a healthy body, a calm, stable, and contented attitude, the benefits gained by walking this path are also no less valuable.

Principle of Equality

A unique feature of the Narmada Parikrama is that every person performing the Narmada Parikrama is considered to be of equal status not only in religious or social terms but also in economic terms. It is a rule that a person performing the Narmada Parikrama, irrespective of his socio-economic status, should carry only enough money or material during the Parikrama to meet his minimum essential needs and should not accumulate unnecessary wealth.

The purpose of the Narmada Parikrama is not to make people notice our uniqueness and greatness. There is no discrimination between rich and poor, small and big on the path of the Parikrama. What we actually experience is the experience of equality and unity. The principle of 'equality' in the Narmada Parikrama is to put it into practice.

Har Narmade !! Har Narmade !!

Our Narmada Parikrama Services

Narmada Pujan (Kanyapujan)

It is believed that Mother Narmada was a virgin. There are many incidents of her appearing as a virgin to devotees during Narmada Parikrama. Therefore, Kanyapujan is performed on the banks of the Narmada river. During this Kanyapujan, girls under the age of 8 in the area — girls of kindergarten, first and second grade — are called and worshipped. They are adorned with turmeric and kumkum and given gifts that are liked and useful by girls of that age.

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Rules for Narmada Parikrama on Foot

Rules of Narmada Parikrama on foot: This Parikrama means circumambulating the Narmada river. This Parikrama traditionally begins every year after the end of Chaturmas, i.e. after Prabodhini Ekadashi. Who, when, at what age, how and for what should one do Narmada Parikrama? — Anyone can do Narmada Parikrama. There is no barrier to it, regardless of race, caste, religion, gender or age.

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Religious Significance of Narmada Parikrama

The Narmada River is described in the Ramayana, Mahabharata and other mythological texts. It is believed in Hinduism that visiting the pilgrimage sites on the banks of this river brings merit to a person. It is believed that this river is in the form of a virgin. It is believed that Sage Markandeya was the first to circumambulate the Narmada.

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Scientific Narmada Parikrama – 18 Days

Day 1: Mumbai/Pune to Ujjain train journey
Day 2: Arrival at Ujjain, visit to Mahanakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, worship, local sightseeing
Day 3: Morning visit to Indore, journey to Omkareshwar

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Parikrama Routes and Maps

Villages to visit while circumambulating Narmada by vehicle: Most of the villages are in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Route: Omkareshwar – Rajghat – Prakasha – Goragaon – Bhalod – Ankleshwar – Kathpur – Mithitalai – Bhadoch – Moti – Koral – Nareshwar – Tilakwada – Koteshwar – Garudeshwar – Mandu – Sahastradhara – Maheshwar – Mandaleshwar – Badwah – Nemawar – Bareilly – Barmanghat – Gauri Ghat of Jabalpur – Amarkantak – Houshangabad – Omkareshwar.

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Great Pilgrimage Locations

Major Sites: Omkareshwar - Badwani - Katpor - Balbala Tirtha - Mandavgad - Maheshwar - Mandaleshwar - Nemavar - Barmanghat (Bramhand Ghat) - Amarkantak - Hoshangabad

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Sacred Locations Along Narmada Parikrama

Omkareshwar - Starting Point of the Parikrama

The circumambulation begins from Omkareshwar. Omkareshwar is a very scenic place on the Narmada. Here the flow of Narmada Maiya is strong. Here the Narmada flow has formed an island in Dubhangum itself. The flow from the north is known as Kaveri and the flow from the south is known as Narmada. Two bridges have been built on this flow.

On this island, there is a temple of Omkareshwar at the foot of the hill and on the top is a beautiful palace of the dynasty here. There is an 8 km circumambulation on this island. After starting the journey to the west, it is about 3 km above is the confluence of Narmada and Kaveri (the Kaveri in South India is different). With a little courage, one can enjoy swimming. On the way forward, we find some ancient beautiful temples and many large gates. The panoramic view of Narmada from the height also satisfies the mind.

Badwani - Gateway to Shulpani Forest

There is Rajghat in Badwani. Here is a huge Narmada reservoir. In some parts from here onwards, crocodiles live, the crocodile is the vehicle of the Narmada spirit. From here onwards, the famous Shulpani forest begins. This is where the tribal Bhils live. They rob the people who visit Parikrama. These Bhils are called uncles here, they consider them to be the brothers of Reva Mata and unless they rob them, the Parikrama is meaningless. But since the road goes outside this forest, we miss out on this experience.

Mandavgad (Mandu) - Historical Fort City

After crossing the dense forest of Shulpani on the north bank, we enter the Mandavgad (Mandugad) area, where many love stories of Baj Bahadur Roopmati are told. Many magnificent and beautiful ancient structures and ruins of structures here give an idea of the rich history of this place. In fact, Mandavgad is the subject of a separate article or writers. Jahaj Mahal, Roopmati Mahal, Revakund, to name a few.

In fact, this is a historical city built in a fort and the only reason for all this is that a peaceful stay of 5 to 10 days is necessary, only then will it be possible to enjoy this place properly.

Balbala Tirtha - The Sacred Tank

There is a tank here, an important pilgrimage site in the Narmada Parikrama. If you stand next to this tank and chant loudly, "Narmade Har" or "Har Har Mahadev", then the water in that tank starts to produce huge bubbles or "balbales". The legend is that during the time of Ravana, a demon named Balbala had created havoc in this area. When the common people were tired of his troubles, all the devotees prayed to Mother Narmade to get rid of him.

Then Mother Narmada fought with this demon Balbala and caught him at this place. Therefore, it is said that even today, the demon is afraid of hearing the name of Mother Narmade or Lord Shiva.

Maheshwar - Ahilyabai's Dream City

Narmada Maiya had a dream and realized it in the 17th century. Punyashloka Ahilyabai Maheshwar is truly a dream city. It is impossible to describe the magnificent ghats and temples made with the utmost craftsmanship. Even God himself will not leave his residence here and go elsewhere. Maheshwar is something to be experienced. The evenings on the ghats here are also very pleasing to the eyes.

The lamps left in the evening in the beautiful ghats and the vast sand basin are literally seen floating in the moonlight in the Narmada, earlier, leaf lanterns were used to light these lamps, but now thermocol lanterns are widely used and the pollution of the Narmada is increasing. From here, we traveled to Nemavar.

Mandaleshwar - Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple

The hut where Vasudevananda Saraswati used to meditate is visible here. Also, the Narmada Ghat is very beautiful here. Also, there is the Gupteshwar Mahadev temple here. Its legend is very interesting. In the city of Mahishmati, a discussion of scriptures was going on between Adi Shankaracharya and Mandan Mishra. Mandan Mishra's wife Ubhayabharti had accepted the post of adjudicator.

The cave where Shankaracharya entered the body of King Ajarak to study the Kama Shastras is located here and it is called the Gupta Mahadev Temple. This legend demonstrates the deep philosophical traditions of the region.

Nemavar - The Navel of Narmada

Nemavar is located in the middle of the Narmada. It is considered to be the navel of Narmada. Here the vast body of Narmada is shallow and there is a navel temple on a small island in the middle of the body. The Siddhanatha temple in Nemavar is a temple with wonderful carvings.

Barmanghat (Bramhand Ghat)

After this, the river at Barmanghat is very beautiful and the white temples on the banks and the Gurudwara on the island built in the river add to the beauty of Reve. Now we stay in Jabalpur. This is a mythological as well as industrial city. Here are the famous Marble Rocks and the smoky waterfall. Moonlit night boating is the specialty only here. The sixty-four Yogini temples here should be experienced with a keen eye.

Amarkantak - Source of the Narmada

Crossing the forests and ghats, we reach the white temples on the Mekal mountain and the source of the Johila rivers. A place of cool air, a place of worship for devotees, and a paradise for trekkers. The poet Kalidasa has also described this area wonderfully in his poem Meghduta. He says that the mountain range here looks like a chain of mountains and the medallion in it is Mekhla Parvat.

The Narmada originates in the Revakunda here and a flower called Gulbakavali grows here, which is not found anywhere else. This is where the people of Parikrama worship Narmada. The source and confluence of the rivers Sone and Bhadra are also located nearby. There is a legend here about the marriage of Mekalkanya Narmada and Shon, the son of Brahmadech.

Hoshangabad

We come to Houshangabad via Dandori Maharajpur. Houshangabad has the largest ghat on the Narmada. The Narmada river is also vast and beautiful here. One can enjoy a leisurely swim here. But it is always crowded with domestic and foreign tourists. This forest is a paradise for trekkers and finally we return. Omkareshwar is the end of the Parikrama.