Narmada River

About the river at Bhedaghat

The Narmada is among the five most revered holy rivers in India, and in tradition it is regarded as the daughter of Lord Shiva. That standing is the reason large numbers of devotees come to Bhedaghat, where they take a dip in the river in the hope of salvation and moksha. Every twelve years a festival is held on the river over twelve days.

At Bhedaghat the Narmada is both a place of worship and the agent that shaped the landscape, since it is this river that runs between the marble cliffs and goes over at Dhuandhar. Visitors who come for the scenery and pilgrims who come to bathe are using the same stretch of water.

The river at Bhedaghat

Bathing at the ghats

Devotees come to Bhedaghat to take a dip in the Narmada seeking salvation and moksha. The bathing stretches are busiest around religious dates, and visitors should treat them as places of worship.

The twelve year festival

A festival is celebrated on the river over twelve days once every twelve years. If your visit coincides with it, expect very large numbers of pilgrims and quite different conditions from an ordinary day.

Planning your visit

The river is not a single spot, so plan around the stretch at Bhedaghat rather than around one gate or ticket counter.

• Bathing areas are used for worship. Keep clear of rituals and ask before photographing people.
• Water levels and currents change with the season. Do not enter the river away from the recognised bathing stretches.
• Check locally whether a festival or religious date falls during your visit.
• The gorge and the falls are on this same river, so see them on the same trip.

Best time to visit

The river can be visited through the year, but its level and current vary a great deal by season, and that affects both bathing and boating at Bhedaghat. Religious dates bring large crowds. Check conditions locally rather than assuming any month is safe for entering the water.