Latest news with #NarmadaParikrama
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
6 sacred rivers in india
India is a land of ancient civilisation, spiritual depth, and deep reverence for nature, especially its rivers. In the Indian context, rivers are far more than sources of water; they are considered divine beings, intertwined with mythology, rituals, and everyday life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In Hinduism, rivers are worshipped as goddesses with the power to cleanse sins and grant liberation. Among the many rivers that flow through the Indian subcontinent, six hold a particularly sacred place: the Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. Ganga - The divine mother The Ganga, or Ganges, is India's most revered river. Originating from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas, it travels over 2,500 kilometres before meeting the Bay of Bengal. Hindus believe the Ganga descends from the heavens to purify humanity. Bathing in its waters, especially at pilgrimage cities like Haridwar, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, is believed to wash away sins and lead one toward moksha (spiritual liberation). Affectionately called 'Mother Ganga,' the river symbolises purity, compassion, and life itself. Yamuna - The river of devotion A major tributary of the Ganga, the Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. Flowing through Delhi, Mathura, and Agra, the river holds deep spiritual significance, particularly in relation to Lord Krishna. The towns of Mathura and Vrindavan, where Krishna is believed to have spent his early life, lie on its banks. Devotees often associate the Yamuna with divine love and unwavering devotion. Narmada - The path to liberation The Narmada emerges from the Amarkantak plateau in Madhya Pradesh and flows westward into the Arabian Sea, an unusual direction among Indian rivers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Pilgrims undertake the sacred Narmada Parikrama, a spiritual circumambulation along the river's length, seeking inner peace and spiritual merit. Narmada is considered so holy that bathing in its waters is said to absolve sins, even without visiting other sacred rivers. Godavari - The ganga of the south The Godavari, also known as Dakshina Ganga (Southern Ganga), is the longest river in peninsular India. It originates in Trimbak, Maharashtra, and flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal. The river nurtures the spiritual and agricultural heartland of the Deccan, with sacred cities like Nashik and Rajahmundry along its banks. It plays a vital role in rituals, festivals, and the cultural life of the region. Krishna - The river of legends Rising in the Western Ghats at Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, the Krishna River flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is vital for agriculture and sustains vast stretches of fertile land. Rich in mythology, the Krishna is associated with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, and is home to numerous pilgrimage sites and temple towns, including Vijayawada and Srisailam. Kaveri - The lifeline of the south The Kaveri (or Cauvery) originates from the Brahmagiri Hills in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Deeply revered in southern India, the Kaveri is central to the spiritual and agricultural life of Tamil and Kannada-speaking regions. Known as 'Kaveriamma,' or Mother Kaveri, she is honoured as a goddess. Temple towns like Srirangam flourish on her banks, blending religious heritage with natural abundance. These six rivers are more than geographical features, they are spiritual lifelines that have nurtured Indian civilisation for millennia. Worshipped, celebrated, and cherished, they reflect the country's deep respect for nature and its belief in the divine presence within it.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
MP's nine-month celebration of an 18th-century queen: The importance of Ahilyabai Holkar
THE 18TH-CENTURY Maratha queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar is seeing a revival in Madhya Pradesh, with the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government orchestrating one of the most comprehensive state-led cultural commemorations in recent memory, in the run-up to her 300th birth anniversary celebrations later this month. The culmination, on May 31, will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the Indore Metro Rail's first phase, along with Datia and Satna airports, as well as give an address to a 'Women Empowerment Grand Conference' in Bhopal. Over two lakh women are expected to attend, including Self Help Group (SHG) members, Ladli Behna scheme beneficiaries, and entrepreneurs. The Madhya Pradesh campaign — spanning nine months since September 2024, multiple cities, and political, academic and developmental initiatives – has elevated Ahilyabai from a historically revered figure to the centerpiece of politics in Madhya Pradesh. It helps that Ahilyabai, apart from her administrative genius, is a cultural symbol with much resonance for her contribution towards restoration of many temples. As part of the celebrations, Madhya Pradesh has held folk and dance performances; art exhibitions; theatrical dramas across cities like Maheshwar, Chitrakoot, Indore, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, and Orchha on Ahilyabai; sanctioned a state-sponsored film on her life and a commemorative book; exhibitions of 234 watercolor paintings of temples she restored (including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi), and a light-and-sound show in her name. Alongside this, the Marathi Sahitya Academy is translating documents related to Ahilyabai and planning her statues along the Narmada Parikrama route. At a recent Cabinet meeting, held at Ahilyabai's Rajwada Palace in Indore, Yadav approved Rs 3,876 crore worth of development projects related to the campaign, and sanctioned a youth training programme named after her to provide interest subsidies on loans. A Women Start-Up Policy is in the works, with female artisans and entrepreneurs being prominently showcased at exhibitions on Ahilyabai. CM takes the lead Mohan Yadav has taken personal ownership of the campaign around Ahilyabai, linking her story to the development work and women's empowerment schemes of his own government. Ahilyabai's place in the Hindutva pantheon is an additional bonus for the first-time CM, who is seeking to consolidate his position in the state's politics. His selection as CM ahead of other leaders after long-time CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan was moved to the Centre as Union minister had come as a surprise. Deepak Tiwari, the former Vice Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi University and an author on Madhya Pradesh's political history, pointed out that Ahilyabai's renovation of Shiva temples across India makes her a figure with lasting cultural resonance. While other CMs have highlighted religious and historical figures, Tiwari noted, it was the first time that events were being planned at this scale. 'This type of politics did not happen in the past. The first time sadhus entered the political scene was with Uma Bharti in 2003. But the celebration of a religious icon at this level on the government level never took place before' he said. Tiwari also pointed out that Mohan Yadav is the first Madhya Pradesh CM who is himself in-charge of Indore district. 'Indore is the commercial and financial capital of the state. He is treating Indore like he treats Ujjain (his home base).' The decision to hold the Cabinet meeting at Rajwada Palace, from Ahilyabai's seat of power, was deliberate, Tiwari said. Indore, incidentally, is the turf of BJP heavyweight and Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who was considered a probable CM face before the BJP picked Yadav. At a recent event, Mohan Yadav also linked Ahilyabai's temple-restoration legacy to resistance against the Mughals. 'The Mughals launched a campaign to destroy our devasthans. I have no hesitation saying that barring Ahilyabai Holkar, the big rulers did not pay attention to this issue,' he said. This links with the BJP narrative of praising 'homegrown' princely states for upholding India's cultural history. BJP leaders in the state counter the contention that the celebration of Ahilyabai is aimed at scoring political points. Senior BJP leader and Indore (Rural) District President Ghanshyam Naroliya said the events were just an extension of Yadav's women-centric governance. Naroliya said, 'The celebrations will continue under all BJP-ruled states. We want to take her story to pan-India level.' A senior RSS leader from Indore said, 'It is unfair to say Devi Ahilyabai is used by the BJP and RSS for political points. The Sangh is celebrating her social and religious contribution, her governance model. We want society to know about all of this. We celebrate national heroes like Dr Ambedkar, Vivekananda, and the 1857 rebellion. The Sangh commemorated all of these important historical events. Why should the whole country not know about Ahilyabai? She was not just a queen based in Indore.'
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM hails Bhagoria tribal dance, Gond art's heritage tag
Bhopal: CM Mohan Yadav on Wednesday hailed the inclusion of Bhagoria tribal dance , Gond painting and the Narmada Parikrama in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India as a proud moment for the state. Congratulating all those dedicated to preserving tribal art and tradition, he also extended his appreciation to devotees of the Narmada river. He expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for the recognition.
