#Narmada-Parikrama -- Types of #Parikrama

Several variants of Narmada Parikrama have developed over the years as explained below . For a brief description about Narmada Parikrama  click here. 

Mundmal Parikrama

This is most popular from of Narmada Parikrama. It derives its name from’s garland’ as it involves a garlanding journey around Narmada, generally commences either at Amarkantak (the source of Narmada) or at Omkareshwar and after a complete circumambulation, keeping Narmada to one’s right hand side (Pradakshina) comes to finish at the point of start.This Parikrama is an on-foot march involving a riverside walking of at least 2624 km in a period of 3 years,3months and 13 days.Usually people do this Parikrama in small groups.


Jalahari Parikrama 

This form of Parirama derives its name from jalahari, the yoni shaped seat of Shiva Lingawhich makes a double channel Around the Linga. It is a journey along both the banks of Narmada never crossing her. It involves to and fro journey on both the sides of river. A Parikramawasi traverses same bank of Narmada twice which amounts to double the journey compared to Mundmal Parikrama. It does not involve crossing of Narmada at the gulf of Cambey or Amerkantak.


Hanumant Parikrama 

This form of Parikrama derives its name from Hanuman, the monkey god. It is a kind of jumping parikrama in which one can cross Narmada as and when desired. This kind of Parikrama is popular among tourist. 

Dandwat Parikrama 

This is one of the difficult forms of Parikrama involving at least 1000 Bhumi Namaskar (Saluting the mother earth in Dandwat-lying face down prostrate on ground-in reverence and not very common. Very few people dare this from of Parikrama.

Markandeya Parkrama 

It is the most extensive and time-taking form of Narmada Parikrama involving a circumbulation not only around Narmada but also around her tributaries. It owes its name to Markandeya- the ancient hermit who spent his life near Narmada. Narmada basin, one should note, is an elongated strip of land in central India. There are 41 major tributaries of Narmada of which 19 joins her on right or northern bank whereas 22 join her on the left or southern bank. Walking and worshiping around Narmada covering these tributaries can be termed as Markandeya Parikrama. 

Vayu Parikrama 

This can not be actually called a Parikrama in real sense but a mention of this event is necessary for its historical significance.Sri Anil Madhav dave, a senior politician but an amateur pilot has undertaken the first ever Vayu Parikrama (air circumambulation) of Narmada in 2006. Sri Dave, who is an ardent Narmada devotee, undertook this poioneering parikrama to lay foundation of a massive movement for Narmada Conservation. Though not prevalent currently, possobolotoes of such Vayu Parikrama of Narmada can not be ruled out in near future.

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|| NARMADE HAR ||