Narmada Ghat and Parikrama
Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh
The Narmada ghats at Omkareshwar are where pilgrims bathe, pray and watch the evening aarti, and where the Omkareshwar parikrama begins. The island parikrama is about 7 km on foot, through temples, ghats and ashrams, and some pilgrims take a boat on stretches when the river has enough water.
What to see and do
- Take a holy dip or sprinkle the Narmada's water, as pilgrims do
- Walk the island parikrama, about 7 km, stopping at shrines such as Khedapati Hanuman, Kedareshwar and Gauri Somnath
- Watch the evening aarti at the ghat
- Take a boat ride across the river when it is running
Ideal for
- Pilgrims who love river pilgrimages
- Walkers and those who want a gentle trek
- Seekers of quiet reflection by the water
Good to know
- The full parikrama takes a few hours, with some uneven steps and climbs, so go early and carry water
- Boats run only when the river has enough water, and bathing is unsafe in flood
- Keep belongings safe at the ghat in the crowd
- The evening aarti time varies, so confirm locally
Spiritual significance
The Narmada is traditionally revered as one of India's holiest rivers, and circling its islands and banks is an old form of pilgrimage.
Why it matters
- A sacred river: the Narmada is believed to cleanse and bless those who bathe
- Parikrama as devotion: the walk itself is the prayer
- Shrines on the way: many small temples on one circuit