NARMADA PUSHKARAM- 2024

Cultural Gems of Central India: Ujjain, Omkareshwar, and Maheshwar Expedition- 4 Days

Narmada Pushkaram is a festival of River Narmada normally occurs once in 12 years. This Pushkaram is observed for a period of 12 days from the time of entry of Jupiter into Vrushabha Rasi ( Taurus)

Pushkaram is a festival celebrated by Hindus, primarily in South India, to worship rivers. The festival occurs once every 12 years for each river. During the festival, devotees take a holy dip in the sacred river, perform various rituals, and offer prayers seeking spiritual purification and blessings.

Amakantak temple, Omkareshawar Temple , Chausath Yogini Temple, Chubis Avatar Temple , Maheshwar Maheshwar Temple, Nemawar Siddheshwar Mandir and Bhojpur Shiva Temple  are very ancient and famous. Omkareshawar is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Amrarkantak is the best places to take holy bath in the Naramada river.

Narmada River originated at Amarkantak of Madhya Pradesh and flows in western direction through Maharashtra and Gujarat and then merges in the Arabian Sea. Amarkantak and Omkareshwara Jyothirling Temple are the best places to perform Narmada Pushkara Snana and other sacred rituals. Omkareswar is the fifth jyothirlingas among Dwadash Jyothirlinga Temples. Omkareswar is located at distance of 77 kms from Indore.

It is to note that Ujjain Mahakali Temple Shakti peetha and Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Jyothirlingam Temple are located in Ujjain City, which is on Kshipra River banks, but not on Narmada River banks.

As per the shruthi, “ Brahma Vishnuscha rudrascha indradya sarva devataa pitharo rusha yasstchiava thatraiva nivasanti hee”, performing yearly Pinda daan, Pitru Tharpan, and many other pithru karmas during Pushkar time is highly meritorious.

It is believed that Pushkarudu, also known as Pushkar God who is powerful to make any river holy will travel with Jupiter, as Jupiter travels from one Zodiac sign to another Zodiac sign.