Uttarakhand to West Bengal
The Ganga
The holiest river of India, the Ganga is worshipped as a goddess who descended to earth through Shiva's matted hair.
Sacred Rivers
The Narmada
Flowing westward across central India, the Narmada is said in tradition to have arisen from Shiva himself.
LocationFrom Amarkantak to the Gulf of Khambhat
State / RegionMadhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
Worshipped asNarmada, daughter of Shiva
Best time to visitOctober to March
Religious significance
Smooth stones from the river, known as Banalinga or Narmadeshwar, are worshipped as natural Shiva lingas. The Narmada Parikrama — walking from source to sea on one bank and back on the other — is one of India's great pilgrimages. Omkareshwar stands on an island in the river.
Traditional story
A popular saying holds that "every pebble of the Narmada is Shankar". Some traditions say the river was born from the sweat of Shiva in meditation, and so she is called Shankari.
Legends are presented as they are told within the tradition; they hold spiritual meaning for devotees and are not offered as historical record.
Visitor guidance
- Bhedaghat's marble rocks near Jabalpur are best seen by boat on a full-moon night.
- The source temple is at Amarkantak.
Continue the journey