Introduction
Narmada is the holiest. She is also called Reva and Purvaganga. It is said that a view of the river cleanses our sins. Interestingly, legend goes that when Ganga feels polluted thanks to her worshippers who take a dip, she comes in the form of a black lady to have a purifying bath in the Narmada! Narmada is a river in central India and the fifth longest river in the Indian sub continent. It is the third longest river that flows entirely within India, after the Godavari, and the Krishna. It is also known as "Life Line of Madhya Pradesh" for its huge contribution to the state of Madhya Pradesh in many ways.
Origin
Amarkantak is considered to be the birthplace of River Narmada and Son. River Narmada is one among the few rivers which flows towards the western side to get merged in Arabian Sea. In mythology it is said that one who takes a dip in holy River Ganga gets cleansed of all the sins; the same River Ganga comes to take dip in River Narmada to cleanse all the sins which people leave with her. It is also said that Lord Vishnu had given boon to River Narmada that there would be no drought near its banks and it would always be green. The same is still evident today also. It raises from the Maikal ranges at the height of 1057 meter above the sea level. Amarkantak is located in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh in India. Narmada River mainly flows in the central India. The total length of the Narmada River lays approximately 1,289 kms. The river flows from the eastward direction to the westward into the Arabian Sea. It merges into the ocean at the point called 'Bharonch'. It is the largest west flowing river in India.
Narmada in Jabalpur
Narmada River is a holy river of Central India. Origin of Narmada River is in Amarkantak hill station in Madhya Pradesh, India. Narmada River travels from Central India to Western India, passing through Madhya Pradesh State and Gujarat State. River is considered lifeline of these two states Madhya Pradesh and Gujrat. Narmada fulfills all the need of water in Madhya Pradesh. As Narmada River is a holy river and considered lifeline, so number of ghats (river-banks) are found in all the cities from where it passes through. In Jabalpur city one can find number of Narmada river ghats like Jelehri-ghat, Gwari-ghat, Tilwara ghat, Lamheta ghat, Bhedaghat or Bheraghat etc., visited by thousands of people every day. For praising the Narmada River, state government is encouraging local people to celebrate Narmada Mahotsava in Bheraghat tourist site.
Legends of Narmada river
It is said that Narmada appeared with the sweat of God Shiva sitting in austerity. Narmada presented such miraculous lilies with its supernatural beauty as soon as it appeared that Shiva-Parvati herself remained astonished. Then, while christening, he said, "Goddess, you made our hearts cheerful. So your name is Narmada. Soft means - happiness and da means - giving to the giver. One name is Rewa, but Narmada is only valid.
Lord Shankar devoted 12 year old daughter to Mahatvati, due to being Mahestavati, goddesses of Vishnu Narmada named this girl. This divine daughter Narmada received some such boons from Prabhu Shiva, which is not near any other river, by performing austerity for 10,000 Divine years in the Panchkosh region of Kashi on the banks of the northwestern Ganga - I too should not be destroyed in the wake of the catastrophe.
I shall be known as the only sin-river river in the world.
Every stone of mine (Narmeshwar) is worshiped without sacrificing life in the form of Shivling.
All Gods, including Shiva and Parvati, reside on the (Narmada) coast.
It is mentioned in the Skanda Purana that Raja-Deanayeteya sought the blessings of Lord Shiva from the great austerities of fourteen thousand Divine years and came upon Narmada ji to come on the earth. On the order of Shiva, Narmada jumped on the seat of crocodile and landed on Udayachal mountain and flown towards the west direction.
