Narmada River |
About: |
Whatever we tell you, however detailed a description we give, it won't do justice to the body of water that flows from the Amarkantak plateau to Arabian sea, the river we call Narmada. Hinduism sees it as one of the seven most sacred rivers in India, and in fact, most wisdom traditions around the world draw inspiration from rivers and their behavior.The Narmada Periplus Maris Erythraei calls it the Nammadus. The British Raj called it the Nerbudda or Narbada is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent.
Narmada is a Sanskrit word meaning 'the Giver of Pleasure. It forms the traditional boundary between North India and South India and flows westwards over before draining through the Gulf of Cambey (Khambat) into the Arabian Sea,30 km (18.6 mi)west of Bharuch city of Gujarat. It is one of only three major rivers in pensinsular India that runs from east to west (largest west flowing river) along with the Tapti River and the Mahi River. It is the only river in India that flows in a rift valley flowing west between the Satpura and Vindhya ranges. It flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh , Maharashtra,border between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and border between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and in Gujarat. Come stand on the banks of the Narmada, and whatever your faith, you might momentarily be inspired to carry out the Narmada parikrama, a two to three year process of travelling by foot up one entire bank of the river and down the other. For the time being, see how far this spell carries you; put one foot in front of the other and see how far they take you; take in the colorful riverside, the temples, ashrams, bathing sites and warm-hearted people; listen deeply for the river's voice as it tumbles home to the sea, washing humanity clean of its borders, divisions and short-sightedness. The Narmada river from source to sea is 1312 km long, the largest in Gujarat, and the fifth largest in India. It is often seen as the boundary between North and South India. It originates in the Amarkantak plateau, where the Vindhya and Saptura mountain ranges meet, and continues southwest across the state of Madhya Pradesh, along the northern border of Maharashtra, and then winds through the Gujarati districts Narmada, Vadodara, and Bharuch, before emptying at the city of Bharuch into the Arabian sea through the Gulf of Khambat (Cambay). |
Location info: |
Address:Narmadar River,Bharuch,Vadodra,Gujarat,India |
District: Vadodra |
Nearest City: Bharuch |
Best time to visit: Round the year |
Climate/Weather: |
Summers 23°- 44°C. Winters 10°-36°C |
History: |
The Narmada river originates from the Maikal ranges at Amarkantak, 1057 m above the sea-level, now in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh. In its 1312 km long journey before joining the Arabian Sea, the Narmada flows through the three states of Madhya Pradesh (MP), Maharashtra and Gujarat. Nearly 90% of the flow is in MP, and most of the remaining is in Gujarat.The valley of the river Narmada (which means one who endows with bliss) has been the seat of an uninterrupted flow of human civilization dating from pre-historic times.
The Narmada finds mention as one of the seven most sacred rivers in ancient Indian texts. A number of written accounts and ballads refer to this river. Its banks are dotted with temples, myths and folklore, the living symbols of a timeless Indian tradition. The river Narmada has supported a bewildering variety of people and diverse socio-cultural practices ranging from the relatively autonomous adivasi (tribal) settlements in the forests to non-tribal rural population. |
Interesting things to do: |
Mythology: The Narmada River is considered the mother and giver of peace. Legend has it that the mere sight of this river is enough to cleanse one's soul, as against a dip in the Ganga or seven in the Yamuna. The Ganga is believed to visit this river once a year, in the guise of a black cow to cleanse herself of all her collected sins.The journey along the river Narmada is in some sense similar to famous parikrama (taking round) of the river, except that the parikrama is of life in the valley of the Narmada. |
Interesting things to Visit: |
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary has vast, undulating terrain, ever-pervading greenery, tall inspiring canopy, deep awesome valleys, somberly silent rocks, gentle youthful streams, majestic waterfalls, breathtaking landscapes, culminating at the congregation of Vindhyan-Satpura hill ranges. The sanctuary was first created in 1982 over an area of 150.87 sq. km. As "Dumkhal Sanctuary"- an important home for sloth bears. Subsequently, in 1987 and 1989, the area of the sanctuary was enlarged to 607.71sq. Km. and it was renamed as "Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary".The forest area rated as one of the best and thickest in the state, is spread over an area, which includes a major watershed feeding two major reservoirs with the Rajpipla hills as backdrop. The thick vegetative ground cover not only provides endless greenery and habitat and home to a variety of life forms, but also conserves the soil and water.
Narmada basin:
The basin has five well defined physiographic regions. They are The upper hilly areas covering the districts of Shahdol, Mandla, Durg, Balaghat and Seoni,The upper plains covering the districts of Jabalpur, Narsimhapur, Sagar, Damoh, Chhindwara, Hoshangabad, Betul, Raisen and Sehore, The middle plains covering the districts of East Nimar, part of west Nimar, Dewas, Indore and Dhar,The lower hilly areas covering part of the west Nimar, Jhabua, Dhulia, Narmada and parts of Vadodara, and the lower plains covering mainly the districts of Narmada Bharuch, and parts of Vadodara. The hill regions are well forested. The upper, middle and lower plains are broad and fertile areas, well suited for cultivation. The Narmada basin mainly consists of black soils. The coastal plains in Gujarat are composed of alluvial clays with a layer of black soils on the surface. Nehru Foundation Stone Sthal: Sardar Sarovar Dam: Shoolpaneshwar Mahadev Temple: Titbits of the valley: |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach? |
Nearest Railway Station:Bharuch Junction Railway Station |
Nearest Airport:Vadodara Airport |
Road Transport:Narmada is one of the 25 administrative districts of Gujarat with its head quarters located at Rajpipla. The district occupies an area of 2,749 square kilometers with a . It is one of the backward districts in Gujarat. |
Nearest Visiting places: |
Rajpipla: This is a princely capital in Eastern Gujarat after Vadodara. This area is entangled with numerous forests and blissful nature around. It is situated on the banks of the Karjan River and at the foothills of Satpura Mountain. There is a famous palace for tourist visit and the rest of the landscape is dense forests namely Karjan forest, Dediyapada forest, Dang forest etc… the nearby hill station resort is Mal Samot. Narmada: Pavagadh: Dakor: On purnima (full moon) every month this temple town awakens to thousands of visitors in colorful festivity. Inspired by the revered legend of Bodana, many devotees even today come on foot from great distances. But remember, your Dakor adventure is complete only after tasting its lip-smacking gotas accompanied by tea or dahi (yogurt). Hidimba Van and Rishi Dank: Zarwani Eco Campsite: Sayaji Bagh: EME Temple: Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum: Laxmi Vilas Palace: Museum and Art Gallery: |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Ghelani Petrol Pump:Baroda,Vadodara,Gujarat,India,ph:0265 2780781
Harish Petrol Pump:O/S Panigate,Ajwa Main Road,Vadodara,ph:0265 2519911 |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Vijay Raj Palace Hotel:Rajpipla,Narmada,Gujarat,India,ph:0265 2793535
Revival Hotel:Sayaji Gardens Near Kalaghoda, Sayaji gunj, Vadodara, Gujarat,India,ph:0265 2793535 Hotel Yuvraj:Near Central Stbus Depot,Sayajigunj,Vadodara,Gujarat,ph:0265 2794439 Hotel Surya Palace:Sayajigunj,Vadodara, Gujarat,India,ph:0265 2363388 |
Things to carry: |
Tips & Suggestions: |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:100 |
Nearest Hospital: |
Society/Community Phone Number: |
Link:www.narmada.org |
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Laxmi Vilas Palace |
Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara is one of the famous monuments in Vadodara that is high on tourist value. People visiting Vadodara make it a point to visit Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara. A wonderful exemplification of the Indo-Sarcenic architectural style, the palace is a majestic structure that warrants a special visit if you wish to marvel at the detailed and exquisite work from the close quarters. Indianholiday.com is your indispensable e-travelogue that provides you with all you needed to know on Vadodara Laxmi Vilas Palace....more |
Citadel of Mahmud Beghada |
Tour to Gujarat is not only incomplete but an arid experience of vacationing if Champaner is not visited. It is a historical hill town located 47 kms to the north-west of Vadodara. Dotted with impressive mosques like Juma Masjid and Shah-ki-Masjid, this attractive town is charted by several tourists every year. It is lying at the foot of Pavagarh Fort and the feature that distinguishes it from rest of the places of tourist interest is the enchanting reflection of the ruins of palaces and mosques in the lake. On arriving at this place however the one site that will hold your attention unwavering is the Citadel of Mahmud Beghada in Champaner.Champaner Citadel of Mahmud Beghada is a rectangular shaped stunning structure. It is very expansive and measures around three-quarters of a mile in length and 280 yards in breadth. This is indeed the quintessential example of the forts and monuments in Gujarat....more |
Pavagadh |
Located at the foothill of the Pavagadh, Champaner is 50 km from Baroda in the State of Gujarat. The complete hill is one amongst the oldest stone formations in India and resembles a reddish yellow shade.Pavagadh hill measures to a height 800 m and was once standing as a fortress of the Hindus under the regime of the Solanki Kings and later under the Khichi Chauhans. The fort was later taken over by Sultan Mehmud Begarah in 1484 and renamed as Muhammadabad. There are many temples dating back to the 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th centuries, all built in the Nagara style. The ruins are stretched over an area of 6 sq km at the foothills of Pavagadh.....more |
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum |
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Vadodara Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is located on the Laxmi Vilas Palace grounds at Vadodara, Gujrat.In 1961 the building of a school for the children, built by the Maharaja was converted into the museum. The museum exhibits outstanding painting collection of 19th and 20th century. Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III mostly collected the paintings. European paintings of old masters like Raphael, Titian and Murillo, modern Western paintings and Indian miniature paintings, paintings of Raja Ravi Varma are worth mentioning.Vadodara Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum houses the remarkably huge number of works of art of the royal family. Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III during his several visits out of India collected works of art and stored them here....more |
Watson Museum |
Located in the Jubilee Gardens, the Museum commemorating Colonel John Watson is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Important exhibits are copies of artifacts from Mohenjodaro, 13th century carvings, silverware, natural history exhibits and textiles. A huge 19th century marble statue of queen Victoria is fascinating. There are many splendid portraits and photographs of royal princes of Saurashtra and European dignitaries, handicrafts, pottery and princely relics.The Watson Museum of Rajkot is a memorial of Colonel James Watson, a political agent of Saurashtra. The Watson Museum at Rajkot is known for housing a huge collection of ancient and traditional artefacts. The museum of Rajkot exhibits the cultural heritage of Saurashtra. Among the exhibits of the Watson Museum in Rajkot....more
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Narmada Dam |
The Narmada is Bifurcating Bharuch and Vadodara districts, this Narmada district came into existence during the year 1997. This place is located between the banks of the rivers Narmada and the Karjan at the southern parts of Gujarat state. The circumference of this district is 2,755 sq.km. and Rajpipla is the district headquarters. The places of tourist visit are Sardar Sarovar, the largest dam projects of South Asia the Karjan Dam, Vijayraj Palace dates up 1912, Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary and Malsamot Waterfalls. There are important shrines and holy sites around such as Garudeshwar,Chandod, Shuklatirth and Nareshwar, and temples of Harisiddhi Mata, Hanuman and Gayatri Mata......more |
Sardar Sarrovar Dam |
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is on the Narmada River in Gujarat state, 170 kilometres (106 miles) upstream from where the river flows into the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian Sea. The Narmada is the largest westward flowing river in India. A few kilometres downstream from the dam site on the north bank is Kevadia Colony, the town built to house the construction workers and related bureaucracy. Vadgam, the first village behind the dam, starts around one kilometre from the dam site and stretches out for several more kilometres along the north bank. About 15 km upstream on the south bank a small tributary running into the Narmada forms the Gujarat-Maharashtra border. On the eastern (Maharashtra) side of the creek is the village of Manibeli, a focus of resistance to the project where the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA -- Save the Narmada Movement) maintains an office......more |
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary |
This sanctuary has vast, undulating terrain, ever pervading greenery, tall inspiring canopy, deep awesome valleys, somberly silent rocks, gentle youthful streams, majestic waterfalls, breathtaking landscapes, culminating at the congregation of Vindhyan Satpura hill ranges. The sanctuary was first created in 1982 over an area of 150.87 sq. km. As Dumkhal Sanctuary an important home for sloth bears. Subsequently, in 1987 and 1989, the area of the sanctuary was enlarged to 607.71sq. Km. and it was renamed as Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary.The forest area rated as one of the best and thickest in the state, is spread over an area, which includes a major watershed feeding two major reservoirs with the Rajpipla hills as backdrop. The thick vegetative ground cover not only provides endless greenery and habitat and home to a variety of life forms, but also conserves the soil and water....more |
Sayaji Bagh |
One of the major tourist attractions in Vadodara is the Sayaji Bagh in Vadodara, the large green park whose main entrance is on the Tilak Road. The Sayaji Bagh contains a planetarium that offers a 35 minutes show daily, except on Thursday.This garden also known as the garden of Sayaji, is an extensive park sprawling over more than a hundred acres with a mini rail track around the periphery. Cheerful kids can be seen enjoying a joy ride on the toy train. Elders may also join the fun after a little coaxing of the guard.Sayaji Bagh Vadodara is one of the major attractions in the city. Also known as the garden of Sayaji, it is an extensive park that contains a mini rail track. Sayaji Bagh of Vadodara was built in 1879 by Sayajirao on the banks of river Vishvamitri. The Bagh is known for its splendid gardens, which are adorned with beautiful pavilions and fountains. The gardens of the Sayaji Bagh in Vadodara serve as pristine retreat amid the hustle and bustle of the city life......more |
Archaeological Park |
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Narmada Waterfall |
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Akota Gardens |
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