The Narmada Parikrama-the circum-ambulation.

Narmada Parikrama-the circum-ambulation.

The river Narmada is one of the seven holiest rivers of India. Thus the Narmada parikrama is supposed to be one of the most pious things a Hindu can do. As with all parikramas, one walks clock-wise around the river, walking from source to sea on the south bank and sea to source on the north side, so that the holy site is always on the right. Ideally the pilgrim carries no belongings and accepts gratefully whatever hospitality the universe shows along the way. 

The journey is roughly 2,600 km and takes two to three years to complete. On your visit to the river, you may come across sadhus performing this sacred act. Remember that you neither have to follow their faith, nor go to their extremes, to show your appreciation for the river. Treat every moment of your time with her, Narmada, as a pilgrimage in itself. As you visit the small temples, ashrams, and holy bathing sites along the river, let in to your body the energy that is created in hers.

A parikramavasi turns into an ascetic who conducts himself in a very dignified manner. The Parikramavasi follows certain rules which are listed below:

1. To a Parikramawasi Narmada becomes the presiding deity. The Parikamawasi salutes and worships her twice a day. Sometimes the parikrama route takes one away from the shore of Narmada because of geographical conditions. In that case carry a bottle of Narmada water and offer prayers to it.
2. A Parikrama can be started from any point along the banks of Narmada. The whole idea is to return to that point and complete the Parikrama.
3. A Parikravasi walks alongside the Narmada, cannot cross the Narmada, cannot enter more than knee-deep water for a bath, should not dance or swim in its waters.
4. A Parikramawasi shaves the head and beard before undertaking the Parikrama and does not shave till the Parikrama is complete, does not use soap in the waters of Narmada for a bath or for washing clothes, does not spit in Narmada or do an act of disrespect towards Narmada.
5. A Parikramawasi follows bramhacharya  during the Parikrama, abstains from lies and wrong deeds, stays quiet, does not criticize others, and behaves with humility and gently with all.
6. For all his needs, including food and shelter, the Parikravasi depends on temples, ashrams, sadhus and people who live on the banks of Narmada. A Parikramavasi may walk barefoot, eat whatever food is offered to him, drink Narmada water, sleep wherever he can find shelter, carry little money, accept whatever food or money or clothes are offered to him without a sense of greed or hoarding.
7. A Parikrawasi collects Narmada water in a suitable container from wherever he begins the parikrama. This water is offered at Mai Ki Bagiya in Amarkantak and fresh water is collected from there, which is then offered at Reva Sangam, from where fresh water is again collected which, after completing the Parikrama is offered at the Temple of Omkareshwar.
8. Offer special prayers at the following places: a. Place of beginning e.g. Omkareshwar. b. RevaSangam, where Narmada meets the Arabian Sea. c. Mai Ki Bagia in Amarkantak, the original birth spot of Ma Narmada. d. Omkareshwar again.

In moments of distress like getting lost in a forest or being confronted by a dangerous situation, just call the Maiya and she responds! She manifests in some form physical form or the other like an old woman, a young girl, as a small child, or in any other form and guides and helps. There are innumerable stories about it which one gets to hear during the parikrama. 

The Narmada river runs through Narmada district, along the border of Vadodara district, and through Bharuch district,  emptying near the city of Bharuch into the sea. There are various sites along the way, and therefore various ways to visit the river. By road: Bharuch, Rajpipla, Chanod, and Dabhoi are accessible by buses. The Sardar Sarovar dam site can be reached by private vehicle.  By rail: Bharuch is the nearest railway station.