Introduction
Narmada River (Sanskrit: The Provider of Pleasure), the holy river that flows through the western part of India, is the fifth longest river in India. a river that flows east-west from the Maikal Range’s Amarkantak plateau and ends in the Gulf of Cambay after 1312 kilometers. It flows through mp, Maharashtra and Gujarat, etc.
History
Narmada river was mentioned as a Namade in Ptolemy’s journey. Riva Khandh of the Vayu Purana and Reva Khandh of the Skanda Purana both told stories about Naramda’s birth. And why is Narmada called Reva? The Puranas attribute Narmada and Reva to leaping motions through rocky beds in the rift valley.
Narmada has always served as a water barrier between India’s north and south. Battles were fought on the banks of the Narmada River when Harshavardhana of Kanauj was defeated by Pulkeshin.
Geography
The Narmada river basin, which covers an area of 98,796 square kilometers, is bounded to the north by the Vindhayas, to the east by the Maikai range, to the south by the Satpuras, and to the west by the Arabian. The Narmada River rises 1080 meters from the Maikal range in MP. After passing through Mandla Hills, the river turns northwest towards Jabalpur. After that, it turns southwest and enters the Vindhya Nad Satpura range, where it forms the Famous Dhuandhar waterfall on the marble rocks.
The Narmada River flows through Hoshangabad Plains, Dhar Uplands, and Mahismati Plains before entering the Gulf of Cambay.
Dam construction
Nourishing the 25 million people of MP and Gujarat is a major source of life. Narmada water is used for irrigation and electricity through the construction of major projects like the Sarvor dam and Omkareshwar dam. But the discharge of waste and chemicals from approximately 52 cities is a big concern. River quality has degraded to category B by the Bureau of Indian standard
A famous movement, the Narmada Bachao Movement, led by Medha Patekar, has risen in the past to protect the livelihood of local tribes, the Gonds, Bhills, and Santhals.
Religious significance of Narmada River
The water of Narmada is considered as pious as Ganga. According to tradition, taking a bath in Narmada can save people from all sins. Various legends tell of the origins of the Narmada River. When Lord Shiva was performing the tandava dance (Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance), water flowed from his body.
Another story says that when Ganga got polluted from the dip of worshippers, it came in the form of a black cow to have a purifying bath in the Narmada.