Excerpts from the book of Vivek ji: Narmada Parikrama -Walking the 3,000 kilometres of sacred Riverbanks of holy Narmada
Our journey commenced at Bhagvati and our intended destination was Kuli, a hamlet located in the Shulpani region. Prior to commencing the task, I had reservations regarding the functionality of the digital map in the absence of signals. However, I am pleased to report that the map performed optimally, alleviating any concerns I may have had. It is noteworthy that during the parikrama, I was unable to obtain phone range due to my reliance on BSNL, the national network which is scarcely available along the parikrama route.
The news of my rediscovery of the ancient teerthas mentioned in our Shastras had spread, and I had the pleasure of meeting a saint who sought me out to offer congratulations on this task. During our conversation, he expressed his excitement that someone was undertaking this important work. I felt that Mother Narmada had provided the guidance that would carry me through to the end.
After Bhagvati had traversed a few kilometres, one would come across Bijasen teerth. This ancient temple has been relocated, but according to the Vashishtha sanhita, it holds a fascinating tale. Ravan, a devout follower of Lord Shiva, once performed a puja (ritual worship) of 11 Rudras and Rudranis. These divine beings then granted him the opportunity to ask for a boon of his choice. According to historical accounts, Ravan, a prominent figure in ancient mythology, is said to have had multiple wives and a sizable family with numerous offspring. He requested the Rudranis to provide a daughter with the ability to eliminate any future children from his other wives. According to legends, it is believed that Rudrani, a divine deity, granted a boon to Ravana. As a result of this boon, a powerful being named Bijasen was born. Tragically, Bijasen began to systematically eliminate the descendants of Ravana. During the period following Ravana's defeat at the hands of Lord Rama and the subsequent conquest of Lanka, Lord Shiva summoned Bijaseni to the Narmada ghat. He instructed her to remain there and protect the future generations instead of causing their demise. Bijasen Teerth is a renowned pilgrimage site known for its sacredness and the blessings it bestows upon devotees. The temple is dedicated to Devi, a revered deity believed to have the power to grant the prayers of those who seek her intervention. Many devotees visit this teerth with the hope of securing the well-being and prosperity of their future generations. Additionally, women facing difficulties in conceiving have also sought solace and blessings at this holy place, with many reporting successful outcomes in their journey towards motherhood.
Excerpts from the book of Vivek ji: Narmada Parikrama -Walking the 3,000 kilometres of sacred Riverbanks of holy Narmada
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