An incredible spiritual journey in India through the heart of rural MP and partly from Gujarat, Narmada river Parikrama is a circular walk around the Holy River Narmada. This River Parikrama is about 3500 Kilometers long can be done by foot, by a rented vehicle or self-drive. By foot, it takes around 200-250 days to complete. Read all details about distance to travel, route, itinerary and booking process.
Significance and Legends about Narmada Parikrama
One of the seven holiest rivers in India, Narmada is a major river that flows across Central and West India. It spans across 98,900 square kilometres and covers 3% of total geographical area. The Vast basin expands across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Legend says that Narmada river Parikrama was first undertaken by the saint Markandeya. There are numerous historic, sacred towns, ghats and temples along Narmada’s banks. These banks are tapobhoomi where many sages and saints, including Agastya, Bhrigu, Atri, Bharadwaj, Kaushik, Markandeya, Shandilya, and Kapil, attained enlightenment.
River Narmada originates from the Amarkantak where a temple is situated dedicated to Devi Narmada and a sacred water tank. From here the river flows across various states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The path of the journey along the river bank is challenging and pass through deep forest, plain grounds, and challenging terrains. This journey across the river offers diverse experience and one of the most indulging pilgrimage of Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour.
Narmada Parikrama Route
The journey traverses through Amarkantak, Dindori, Mandla, Jabalpur, Tendoni, Barna, Narmadapuram, Jamner, Omkareshwar, Mandleshwar, Maheshwar, Rawer, Badwani, Sardar Sarovar, Karjan, Bharuch, and Godhra. For this long route, a road trip is best suggested way, especially with a Luxury Vehicle such as Maharaja Tempo Traveller or Urbania van. These are luxury passenger vehicles with multi seating capacity.
Best Time to do the Holy Narmada Parikrama
As already mentioned, the Narmada river parikrama spans in West and Central region where Summers are harsh and winter season is moderate and pleasant making this season best for a comfortable trip. Although, you can plan for this pilgrimage trip throughout the year. During October to March, the river stays full of water and looks beautiful after the monsoon.
Narmada River Parikrama Tour Package Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Indore
Take a train, flight to reach Indore from your city. You can also take a road trip to reach Indore city.
Day 2: Indore to Omkareshwar (80 Km/2-3 Hours) to Maheshwar
Drive to Omkareshwar and check in your hotel. Take a holy bath at Omkareshwar Ghat and visit the temple for Jyotirlinga darshan. After darshan, drive to Maheshwar and visit the Maheshwar Fort and Temple. Enjoy boat ride at Narmada Riverfront followed by Aarti rituals. Stat Overnight at Maheshwar. Pmkareshwar to Maheshwar distance is 70 km approx and takes 2 hours to reach.
Day 3: Maheshwar- Barwani- Shahada (250 Km/5-6 Hours)
Early morning, visit scenic ghats and leave for Barwani for a short stay. Continue your drive to Shahada and check in at the hotel. Relax and enjoy the beautiful evening. Visit the iconic attraction- Prakash Village which is also known as Dakshin Kashi. It is a religious village where many temples of Lord Shiva can be found. In the evening, take a tour of Narmada Ghat and take part in Aarti.
Day 4: Shahada to Khategaon- Nemawar
Wake up early and proceed to Khategaon and Nemawar- a major parikrama site and famous for Neem works. It is an ideal place for rest for pilgrims on foot, darshan. Afterwards visit Renuka Mata Temple and stay overnight in Khategaon.
Day 5: Khategaon to Bareli, MP
This scenic drive will pass through Narmadapuram. The journey from Khategaon to Bareli is a significant stretch on the uttari tira (north bank) of the sacred Narmada Parikrama. Distance between two cities is approx 180 Km, and pass through key spiritual sites like Nemawar, known for Renuka Mata temple, and Hoshangabad, a major ghat town for ritual bathing. Pilgrims walk through serene rural landscapes and rest in ashrams or dharmshalas along the way. The route is both physically demanding and spiritually enriching, offering time for reflection, simplicity, and connection with fellow parikramavasis—all while keeping the sacred river on your right, as tradition demands.
Day 6: Bareli to Jabalpur
The journey from Bareli to Jabalpur by tempo traveller covers around 160 km and takes roughly 4 to 5 hours, depending on road conditions and how often your group insists on chai breaks disguised as spiritual stops. This leg of the Narmada river Parikrama by vehicle follows the north bank route with major Key halts as small temple towns like Deori and optional detours to Bhedaghat for darshan at the scenic Gwarighat in Jabalpur.
Day 7: Jabalpur to Shahdol
Distance from Jabalpur to Shahdol is 200 km approx and take 4-5 hours to reach via Katni, Umaria. The important attraction to visit here is Virateshwar Temple in Sohagpur. Vangana is the most important tourist destination of Shahdol and a structural masterpiece. Overnight stay at Shahdol.
Day 8: Shahdol to Amarkantak
This day is very special of this trip. Amarkantak is the origin point of Ma Narmada, and reaching here signifies as completing your parikrama or starting your parikrama—symbolically returning to the divine womb of the river. Pilgrims often perform closing rituals at the Narmada Udgam Kund, seeking blessings and forgiveness for shortcuts. Located at the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, it is not just a spiritual hub, it is the origin point of Ma Narmada, emerging from a quiet kund (spring) that somehow has more holiness per drop than your cousin’s bottled Ganga jal. It is also called as teerthraj- King if pilgrimage sites.
Key places to visit in Amarkantak are Narmada Udgam Kund, ancient temples of Kalachuri period, Kapil Dhara and Dudh Dhara. Offer your prayer and stay overnight in Amarkantak.
Day 9: Amarkantak to Mandla
After completing your rituals at Narmada Udgam Kund, this leg symbolizes the parikrama along Ma Narmada’s southern edge. The path passes through forested, tribal regions rich in natural beauty and quiet reverence. You will stop at Dindori which offers scenic views and small temples as a rest point. After that, reach to Mandla, located along the river which is an important cultural and spiritual town with its own ghats and temples, making it a meaningful stop in your clockwise parikrama.
Day 10: Mandla- Narsinghpur/Panchmarhi
Drive to Panchmarhi and check in at hotel. After some rest, visit Jata Shankar Temple and explore local markets. Overnight stay at Panchmarhi.
Day 11: Panchmarhi-Hoshangabad
From the serene Satpura hills of Pachmarhi, descend toward the sacred Hoshangabad ghats on the north bank. Time for a dip in the Narmada and darshan at Sethani Ghat, where the river feels calm, ancient, and just slightly judgmental of your snacking habits.
Day 12: Hoshangabad-Barwani
It is time to turn back towards Barwani. Explore the place, if you have missed something.
Day 13: Barwani- Bharuch
Post breakfast, drive to Baruch via visiting Ankleshwar & Vamleshwar Katpur. It is placed on the meeting points of the Arabian Sea and the sacred Narmada River. It is one of the last major cities on the Narmada’s path before the holy river meets the Arabian Sea. The riverbank is associated with Rishi Bhrigu. Overnight stay at Bharuch.
Day 14: Bharuch- Godhra
After breakfast, checkout from hotel and drive towards Godhra in West India. Upon arrival visit nearby temples, Narmada River Ghat. The distance from Bharuch to Godhra is approximately 140 to 150 km and takes 3-4 hours to reach. Stay Overnight at Godhra.
Day 15: Godhra-Ujjain
Drive back to Madhya Pradesh, with arrival in Ujjain, the eternal city of Mahakal- Lord Shiva. Visit the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and offer your prayers. From Godhra, it takes 5-6 hours to reach Ujjain via Dahod, Jhabua and Ratlam.
Day 16: Ujjain-Indore
After the religious trip in Ujjain, drive back to Indore or direct drive to your onward destination. Here the trip ends.
Concluding Thoughts
Narmada Parikrama Package is one of the longest religious tours in India that needs a proper planning, time, and stamina to move ahead. Hope this guide will help you to get all the details and answer your queries. Instead, you can contact us to know more details or Narmada Parikrama Package cost by tempo traveller or bus for a group travelling.
FAQ on Narmada Parikrama Tour
What is the ideal duration of Narmada river parikrama tour by private vehicle?
The duration of Narmada tour package by road is 15 nights 16 days which is flexible according to your stay time at temples.
What are the inclusions of the tour package?
The package includes transportation, accommodation, sightseeing in temples. Meal, entry fees and service of a guide or Pandit is additional.
Can I customize the Narmada Parikrama Tour Package?
You can discuss with your tour agent for customization possibility and choose a specific tour package according to your interest.
How to book Narmada River parikrama tour package?
Contact a travel agent and send all details of journey with date, number of people, pick up location and get your booking confirmation. You can have a fantastic experience with comfortable Tempo traveller rental in Delhi.
