त्वदीयपादपङ्कजं नमामि देवि नर्मदे! Devi Narmada, I bow to Your Lotus Feet!
This is an unusual blog, away far away from my luxury travels, it’s been a soul-searching journey of beliefs, faith, trust, confidence, and pushing one’s boundaries, life without expectations, and of the sheer joy of finding yourself. Simplicity reigns supreme with sublime belief in the almighty and offering yourself with confidence that the universe will take care of everything.
The last two days have been very overwhelming. Listening to many YouTube videos of the Chitale Couple. I share experiences of places I have visited, this one is my listening experience and on the first chance, I get I wish to do a Narmada mayya Parikrama.
All my gratitude to my friend Sucheta who shared this video saying you will like it, unusual but true as I heard the first episode there was no looking back I was all ears to the videos whole day, many times unknowingly tears streaming down.
My next two days were spent listening to these life-changing and thought-provoking videos. Being a nature lover I am always appreciative of the place surrounding the deity and the aura, serenity, and beauty that engulfs, never have I thought about the origins, and stories surroundings the deities or the many sacred Rivers so deeply Our rivers being the major life-giving source to all those residing on the banks and a major source of commerce.
I have been listening to the stories of the Narmada River but never gave much of my attention till the day before. This Duo from Pune with a large family the husband a Mech. Engineer and the wife with an 80yrs old MIL after many coaxing and planning with her family members to go on a Parikrama succeed to get permission as it’s for a long Haul and a difficult one.
She was inspired by her Maternal Uncle who in turn did this 3 times. Expressing my deepest feelings for the Parikrama in English is a tough task but I am trying my best to reach out to the life-changing experience after just listening and waiting to understand what it would be when done in actuals.
The husband bit reluctant, a workaholic from a life sciences background had stayed away from the religious rituals, and hence was a hard nut to crack, but succumbing to his wife’s wishes and urge they agree to go on a 3000 Km on-foot journey from the banks of Narmada.
The preparations began with the husband quitting his job and inquiring and studying about the whole expedition. Few things which were mentioned were different types of parikrama and they could pick and choose, they picked up the toughest one.
With very little luggage (as this being the first step) they bid goodbye and reach Omakareshwar to start.
A Parikrama means moving clockwise around an object of devotion.
Following the rules of dress code, no money and gadgets, say yes to all that is offered don’t say no, but do not ask for, with just 2 sets of clothes and hardly any belongings they begin this life-changing journey.
About Narmada
The birth of Narmada is at Amarkantak in the Mailkal Hills in Madhya Pradesh and then flows around 3000 km to meet the Arabian Sea at Mithitalia in Gujarat. Starting a parikrama from the River Island of Omkareshwar and then walking upstream south and keeping her always on your right coming to her origin point. Pilgrims take a motorboat from the southern to the northern end and begin the return journey along its northern bank.
The bank at many places has Ghats with major cities and settlements but majorly passes through the jungles and hills and at some places Rocks, you walk for days in solitude seeking your own company thus again being your own best friend.
There were many incidences where the life of both or either was at stake, the path was rugged and treacherous, many time passing through the jungles and most of the times it was rocks, but sheer belief, and undeterred faith and trusting the Narmada mayya for all your needs paved their way for a successful parikrama.
“Atithi DEVO BHAV” True Meaning
The generosity of the people through the region along the path which faces poverty and at times have only that much to survive for that day is happily offered to the Murthy (Guests) that comes to the door as “Atithi DEVO BHAV”, we on the other hand, have everything but at the knock at lunchtime brings a frown on our for head thinking of the uncalled visitor.
Surviving on what is offered, or ask for what is required through (qualms) and cook and eat, bathe and wash every day in the Narmada mayya, wear the same clothes minimalism is the word, and survive we do, so again I wondered how materialistic we become as you progress, while on the road you shed not only your extra fats by walking but eating only the Satvik food you strengthen your soul and mind and you are pushed towards achieving what you have set on.
The true Divine souls
I was always very skeptical about meeting the sadhus and the tapasvis and intrigued by their lives. Throughout this listening session I could understand a bit, they are in search of the almighty, and seeking them is their only Goal, away from the worldly attractions they stay away and in these isolated places to pray but help many on this journey. Treating each with Love, care and life lessons as either has nothing to offer in material but both have something to gain spiritually. Eating almost negligible, wearing almost little, bearing hardly any belongings ,these stay under the sky throughout all weather cycles but are surely guarded by the almighty.
There have been many incidences quoted about fear of falling, fear about nothing to eat but the belief is so strong that the Mayya would take care and she does. Passing through the many jungles native to the BHILLA tribe with utmost poverty, loot is the only way of surviving, and with many telling to not take the path, the duo survived without being looted? I fall short of words, and in this time of technology and science can relate this to Miracle.
This has nothing to do with age, religion, materialism but, to have a balanced life we do follow something that is spirituality.
Miracles in chanting her name as NARMADA HAR , the vibrations are super strong, Miracles in all the Sadhus and tapasvis, they are guarded by the almighty. Miracles in the people staying ashore still adhering to the simple rules of society of helping, caring, sharing, and many more. Miracles of the landscape which adorns different forms . This is a spiritual journey with my deepest respect to all those who walked this path, as I wish to someday. Sharing the YouTube and the blog Link if you feel the pull do listen.
Video credit- Mr. & Mrs. Chitale
Stay tuned to Varsha Mahore Blogs. Enriching lives through travel
