Narmada Temple, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh

Narmada Temple, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh

Narmada Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Narmada located in Amarkantak, a pilgrimage town in Anuppur District in  Madhya Pradesh State of India. It is also called as Shondesh Shakti Peeth. This Temple is considered as one among the revered 51 Shakthi Peeth. Amarkantak is situated at an altitude of 1000 m. The region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura Ranges, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum. It is the origin place for Narmada River, Son River and Johila River. Amarkantak is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage center popularly known as Teertharaj (King of pilgrimages).

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/06/narmada-temple-amarkantak-legends.html

History

Amarkantak is a combination of two Sanskrit words, Amara (immortal) and Kantaka (obstruction). The poet Kalidas has mentioned it as Amrakuta, which later became Amarkantak. There is no clear historical information about the construction of this temple. It is generally believed that the temple was built during 12^th Century CE. It is believed that popular 15^th century Indian mystic and poet Kabir said to have meditated on Kabir Chabutra, also called the platform of Kabir situated in the town of Amarkantak. The Temple suffered damage during Aurangzeb period. Narmada Udgam Kund (birth place of Narmada) was built by Rewa Nayak as it is evidenced by the idol of Rewa Nayak. Later, Bhonsle, the king of Nagpur and Maharani Devi Ahilya renovated this temple.

The Temple

This Temple complex consists of two temples namely Narmada Udgam Temple and Narmada Mai Temple. Both these temples are facing each other connected through a mandapa. One temple is housing a four-armed Narmada idol and other housing an idol of eight armed Narmada holding a baby.

Idol of Rewa Nayak can be found in Narmada Udgam temple. This temple complex houses a tank, believed to be the origin of the Narmada river. There is a shrine for Lord Shiva called as Bhadrasen in the temple premises. There is a beautiful garden called Narmada Udgam in the temple premises.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri is the famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Amarkantak Bus Stand, 34 Kms from Pendra Road Railway Station, 70 Kms from Anuppur Junction Railway Station, 118 Kms from Bilaspur, 130 Kms from Bilaspur Airport, 224 Kms from Jabalpur and 232 Kms from Jabalpur Airport. The Temple is well connected to Rewa, Shahdol, Anuppur, Jabalpur, Katni and Pendra by buses.

Location