Narmada Maha Aarti

In Indian culture, RIVER has been revered as a mother as it nourishes the entire Eco-System. For Gujarat, Narmada (नमामि देवी नर्मदे) is as important as a mother’s milk is to a child. The word नर्म (Narm) or नर्मदा (Narmada) means upon who’s mere sight one obtains Joy. Sanskrit gives yet another meaning of the word ‘Narm’ i.e., ‘to play’, teaching us the value of taking life like a game. According to Indian mythology, with a mere sight of river Narmada one can obtain the bliss of sanctity that is otherwise obtained through a bath in river Ganga, or consuming holy water of river Yamuna. Over centuries, Narmada, also known as Reva, has been worshipped by people as Goddess and Lokmata. A wide array of scholars right from Adi-Guru Shankaracharya to modern poets have paid homage to this river in form of hymns and poems. River Narmada has always been a major contributor to the social and economic progress of Central as well as Western India. The river originates from Narmad Kund in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, and travels about 1173 kms to reach Ekta Nagar, where India’s second largest concrete dam i.e. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is present to receive waters of Narmada. Through this enormous Dam, millions of people residing in drought prone areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan receive water giving this river the title of a ‘Lifeline’. On the upstream of the dam, there was an ancient Lord Shiva temple which got submerged in the dam reservoir. This temple was then reconstructed on the downstream of the dam near Gora bridge. A new Narmada Ghat has been constructed on the banks of river Narmada near the vicinity of Lord Shoolpaneshwar Mahadev Temple. A confluence of diligence, adoration and devotion towards Maa Narmada can be felt at this newly constructed Maa Narmada Ghat. A reflection of these emotions towards Narmada can be witnessed in the form of Maha Aarti that is conducted every evening between 07:30 PM and 08:00 PM. Offerings are made to Maa Narmada in form of Aarti, Dhoop-Aarti, and Ashtak leaving the entire atmosphere filled with positivity.