Narmada River - नर्मदा नदी

River Name Narmada River Length of River 1,289 km (801 mi) Course Madhya Pradesh North India and South India Starting Point Amarkantak Hill in Madhya Pradesh Ending Point Arabian Sea in the Bharuch District of Gujarat. Points of Interest Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat Starting Coordinates 22.689478, 80.499444 Major Tributaries Banjar, Heran, Kolar, Sukta, Tawa, Tendoni, Beda, Sher, Shakkar, Man, Jobat and Goi, rivers. Wikipedia Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narmada_River

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Narmada, formerly Narbada, river, central India, rising in northern Madhya Pradesh State. It flows between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges in a generally southwestern direction for 1,300 km (800 mi), emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat, an arm of the Arabian Sea. The river is regarded by Hindus as one of India's holiest.

Narmada undoubtedly is India's most breathtakingly beautiful river. She is also the most feminine in her movements, as she slithers through thousands of kilometers of hostile terrain.

Narmada River originates from the Maikala ranges at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and flows westwards for a total distance of 1,312 km through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat before draining into the Gulf of Cambay, 50 km west of Bharuch.

Of its total length, the first 1,077 km falls in Madhya Pradesh. The next 35 km stretch forms the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra while in the following 39 km, Narmada borders Maharashtra and Gujarat. Its last stretch of 161 km lies in Gujarat.

As statistics put it, 87% of its total length falls in Madhya Pradesh, the next 2% in Maharashtra and the remaining 11% in Gujarat.

In most parts of its length, the river is generally turbulent and confined between steep banks, making navigation and irrigation difficult.

Mythological overview

The river Narmada descended from the sky as by the order of Lord Shiva. The origin is situated at the mountain series of 'Maikal'in Madhya Pradesh. Believed to have originated from the body of Shiva, the river is also known as Jata Shankari. The worship of Shiva is common in these areas, and each stone or pebble found in the bed of the Narmada is believed to be a Shivalinga. All the places along the banks like Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, and Mahadeo are all named after Shiva. Among the sacred rivers Narmada holds a significant place. The river is considered the mother and giver of peace.

The Course

It rises on the summit of Amarkantak Hill in the Madhya Pradesh state, and for the first 200 m of its course winds among the Mandla Hills, which form the head of the Satpura range; then at Jabalpur, passing through the 'Marble Rocks', it enters its proper valley between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges, and pursues a direct westerly course to the Gulf of Khambhat. Its total course through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat and it amounts to about 800 m, and it falls into the sea in the Bharuch district of Gujarat. It flows between high mountain ranges, through thick jungles and narrow gorges. It has many waterfalls along its length and at one place, its waters cut through marble rocks, sandstone hills and coal deposits.

The Holy Narmada

Temples around it» Places like Maheshwar and Omkareshwar are just examples of the large number of religious centers that dot the banks of the Narmada.

Narmada Controversy- Narmada Bachao Andolan

In recent years the river Narmada has made headlines due to the activities of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, a non-government organisation protesting against the building of a dam on the river. The Sardar Sarovar Dam Project has also controvery and anti-dam activists led by Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy formed The Narmada Bachou Andolon -Save the Narmada.