Narmada Mahotsav to be held in Amarkantak from January 31 to February 2
Bhopal : The state government will organize Narmada Mahotsav from 31 January to 2 February in the picturesque plains of Amarkantak on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti. During the Mahotsav, Maha Arti will be performed daily by 7 priests at “Ramghat” on the banks of Maa Narmada in Amarkantak. During this time a light and sound show based on the life of Maa Narmada will be organized. Maha Arti will be telecast live at various places in the city of Amarkantak. The rich cultural heritage of the region, art and agricultural products like the healthy Kodo-rice etc. will be demonstrated before the public at the Mahotsav.
Trekking activities will be organized on 4 routes daily to make nature lovers aware of the natural and physical landscapes of the area in the Narmada Mahotsav. Similarly, Yoga teachers of the Indira Gandhi Tribal University will conduct yoga camps for the general public in the local Maikal Park.
First day of Narmada Mahotsav
The first day of Narmada Mahotsav will begin with yoga practice at Maikal Park from 7 am to 8 am followed by trekking activities from 8 to 10 am from Shambhu Dhara to Panchdhara, Kapil Dhara and from Kabir Chambutara to Dhoni Pani and 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 Gudum, Saila and Karma of Baiga Adivasi tribal group, etc. will perform folk dances from 5 to 7 pm at the inauguration site. After the Maha Arti from 7 to 7.30 pm, local folk artists will again display local folk arts on stage.
Programme on women power on Narmada Jayanti
On the second day of the Amarkantak Narmada Mahotsav-2020, on February 1, all the programmes 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, a cultural evening will be organized at the Circuit House Ground from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm after yoga practice, trekking, Maa Narmada Jayanti Pujan, Kanya Bhoj, local folk art staging and Maha Arti. Sushri Maithili Thakur, Ayavi and Rishabh Thakur will present musical performances in the cultural evening. Sushri Maithili is a well-known singer of Bollywood songs besides Bhojpuri, Kajri, Chhath and other regional folk songs.
Mahotsav to conclude with renowned singer Shri Kailash Kher’s performance
On the fourth and final day of the Narmada Mahotsav, on February 2 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, renowned singer Shri Kailash Kher will perform with his band “Kailasa”. The day will begin with yoga practise, trekking, 108 Kundiya Havan, staging of local folk art and Maha Aarti at the scheduled time for music lovers and tourists from morning to 7.30 pm. There will be a prize distribution ceremony from 9.30 pm to 10 pm at the closing of the Mahotsav.
Methodological display of tribal art and culture
Local tribal art and culture will be duly demonstrated during Amarkantak Narmada Mahotsav-2020. A grand platform will be provided to encourage tribal artists to take the cultural heritage to new heights. Stalls of jewelry made by tribal groups, Bijapuri wood craft, etc. will be put up in the Mahotsav.
Maa Narmada Jayanti pujan will be organized in the Narmada temple from 12 to 12.30 noon in the Mahotsav. A mass Kanya Bhoj will be organized for 2100 girls at Ramghat from 12.30 to 3 pm. The Mahotsav will conclude with the 108 Kundiya Havan for prosperity, enrichment and divine blessings of the region.