Narmada Festival to be held in Amarkantak from January 31 to February 2
Bhopal : The state government will organize Narmada Mahotsava from January 31 to February 2 in the picturesque surroundings of Amarkantak on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti. During the festival, Mahaarati will be performed daily by 7 priests at Maa Narmada’s bank “Ramghat” in Amarkantak. A light and sound show based on the life of Maa Narmada will be organized. Mahaarti will be telecast live at various places in Amarkantak city. The rich cultural heritage of the region, art and healthy agricultural products like Kodo-rice etc. will be demonstrated to the public through the Mahotsav.
Trekking activities will be organized on 4 routes daily to introduce nature lovers to the natural beauty and physical topography of the area at the Narmada Mahotsav. Similarly, Yoga teachers of Indira Gandhi Tribal University will conduct yoga camps for the common people in the local Maikal Park.
First day of Narmada Mahotsav
On the first day of Narmada Mahotsav, trekking activities will be organized at Maikal Park from 7 am to 8 am followed by trekking from 8 to 10 am from Shambhu Dhara to Panchdhara to Kapil Dhara and from Kabir Chambutara to Dhoni Pani to Sonmuda. After this, Maa Narmada Shobha Yatra will be taken out from Narmada Temple from 10 am to 1 pm. The formal opening of the Mahotsav will take place at 12 noon at Circuit House Ground. Local folk artists of Baiga Adivasi tribal group Gudum, Saila and Karma etc. will perform folk dances from 5 to 7 pm at the inauguration site. From 7 to 7.30 pm local folk artists will again stage local folk arts after the Mahaarti.
Programme focused on women power on Narmada Jayanti
On the second day of the Amarkantak Narmada Mahotsav-2020, on February 1, all the programnes will be focused on women power. The theme of the day’s programmes will be “Beti Bachao – Beti Padhao”.
Third day of the Mahotsav
On the third day of the Narmada Mahotsav on February 2, cultural evening will be organised at the Circuit House Ground from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm after yoga practice, trekking, Maa Narmada Jayanti Pujan, Kanya Bhoj, staging of local folk art and Mahaarti. In the cultural evening, Sushri Maithili Thakur, Ayavi and Rishabh Thakur will give musical performances. Sushri Maithili is a well-known singer of Bollywood songs, Bhojpuri, Kajari, Chhath and other regional folk songs.
Renowned singer Shri Kailash Kher to perform at closing ceremony
Renowned singer Shri Kailash Kher will give a soulful performance beyond physical boundaries with his band “Kailasa” on February 2 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm on the fourth and final day of Mahotsav. On this day too, yoga, trekking, 108 Kundiya Havan, staging of local folk art and Mahaarti will be organized at a fixed time for music lovers and tourists from early morning to 7.30 pm. There will be prize distribution ceremony from 9.30 am to 10 pm on the concluding day.
Methodological display of tribal art and culture
Local tribal art and culture will be duly demonstrated during Amarkantak Narmada Mahotsav-2020. A grand stage will be provided to encourage tribal artists for exposure of cultural heritage here on a large scale. Stalls of jewelery made by tribal groups, Bijapuri wood craft, etc. will be set up in the Mahotsav.
Ma Narmada Jayanti Pujan will be held at the Narmada temple from 12 to 12.30 noon at the Mahotsav. A community Kanya bhoj will be organized for 2100 girls at Ramghat from 12.30 pm to 3 pm. A 106 Kundiya Havan will be organized to mark the conclusion of the festival for prosperity and to seek divine blessings.