Excerpts from the book of Vivek ji: Narmada Parikrama -Walking the 3,000 kilometres of sacred Riverbanks of holy Narmada
Bhagvati is a tiny village, unaware of the history of the land that surrounded it, we slept at one school where the camp was organised. The whole village participated in a huge Bhandara, and it was great to see so many unfamiliar faces on the parikrama trek. On this occasion, I initiated a conversation with the locals regarding the construction of toilets. I emphasised the importance of ensuring that there are sufficient toilets for the parikramavasis. This topic will be a recurring theme throughout the parikrama, and we will endeavor to donate funds wherever possible. I consistently emphasised the importance of maintaining cleanliness during parikrama to fellow individuals, as it is imperative in contributing to the betterment of the local community. Neglecting this responsibility may result in the younger generation developing a negative perception towards us.
One common sight along the parikrama path is the presence of trash and excrement. This is due to the lack of adequate toilet facilities, and many parikramavasis do not seem to realise that a small donation of 10 rupees from each of them could help ensure that there are enough toilets for everyone in the future.
As parikramavasis exhibit a transient lifestyle, they may overlook certain matters. Therefore, I took it upon myself to ensure that the concerns regarding the maintenance of toilets were voiced by individuals such as myself who are engaged in parikrama. Upon initiating this endeavour, I received ample support from numerous individuals. I am for certain trying to make sure that in years to come there are enough toilets for the parikramvasis.
Bhagvati is the initial hill that provides access to Shulpani, a location that has been a source of fear for generations among the Parikramavasis. And it is this dread that drives people away from banks and towards Highways. As we approached the hills, I anticipated an enjoyable experience, which is precisely what we encountered.
Excerpts from the book of Vivek ji: Narmada Parikrama -Walking the 3,000 kilometres of sacred Riverbanks of holy Narmada
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