Narmada Udgam Temple - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 1.5 km from Amarkantak Bus Stand, Narmada Udgam Temple is a sacred place located in the pilgrimage town of Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. Situated near the ancient temples of Kalachuri, it is one of the famous places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must-visit places as part of Amarkantak tour packages.

Narmada Udgam Temple or Narmada Kund is the place of origin of river Narmada. It is surrounded by 16 pristine stone temples and is considered to be a sacred place for Hindus. Narmada Temple, Lord Shiva temple, Karthikeya Temple, Sriram Janaki Temple, Annapurna Temple, Guru Gorakhnath Temple, Sri Suryanarayana Temple, and Bangeshwar Mahadev Temple are the prominent temples in this complex. There is no concrete evidence about the construction of the Narmada Mandir here, historical evidence shows that it was built by the Kalachuri dynasty around the 12th century. Narmada Udgam Kund was built by Rewa Nayak. After many years, Bhonsle, the king of Nagpur gave the shape to Narmada Mandir in the 18th century and was renovated by Maharani Devi Ahilya.

Built with white marble, this ancient temple has marvelous architecture. It houses a black stone image of the river goddess with large silver eyes whereas the Narmada Kund is the spot from which the River Narmada originates and subsequently flows out to Kapildhara. Amarkantheshwar Shiva linga is situated right opposite Narmada Temple. It is said that Lord Shiva and his daughter Narmada were staying here. Narmada is said to have originated from Shiva's tied hair (jata). Hence Shiva is also called as here as Jatashankar.

Being the origin of the river Narmada, the place holds an eminent position in Hindu mythology that draws a huge number of devotees from all over the globe. Devotees can be seen bathing, washing, or performing rites and rituals in the complex. Besides, the aarti ceremony held in the evenings is an eagerly awaited and delightful affair in the temple. The temple is set amidst lush greenery and the drive up to it is also a pleasant experience.

Narmada Jayanti is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in this temple. It is celebrated in January around Makar Sankranti, commemorating the birthday or the appearance of the Narmada River (Maa Narmada) on Earth. During this festival, the whole Narmada Complex is decorated with flowers and lights, and also a grand arti takes place in the evening on the bank of the Narmada River.

Timings: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 9 PM

Entry: Free