Maa Narmada Jayanti will be celebrated in the city with great enthusiasm and religious fervour on Friday, the seventh day of Magha moth. It is believed that Maa Narmada descended upon the Earth on this day. In Sanatan Dharma, Narmada is considered auspicious and most revered. Great enthusiasm has been seen among devotees for the celebration of Narmada Jayanti since many days. Extensive preparations have been done throughout the city for the mega religious event. Large pandals have been set up at important locations and idols of Maa Narmada have been installed. To maintain law and order and ensure celebration of the occasion in trouble free manner, the district administration along with police and other authorities are also making arrangements. The administration has issued certain guidelines. It has completely banned use of heavy sound amplifying equipment like DJ system etc. In a meeting, the district administration announced the aforementioned decision and asked people concerned to obtain permission for use of sound systems and must strictly adhere to the given conditions.

 

During processions, welcome stages, rallies and events, no more than two sound boxes should be used. Speakers to be used should not exceed 12 inches in diameter and their volume should not be set too high. Use of horns with the speaker boxes is strictly prohibited. Only two sound boxes should be used in vehicles during the procession/covered journey. No announcements should be made in any way that may hurt anyone’s religious sentiments and songs that may hurt religious feelings should not be played. The administration has also conducted a meeting with organisers of bhandara. Police officials have made it clear that the bhandara should be organised at a location where traffic is not disrupted and adequate parking arrangements are made around the area. It has been observed that organising bhandara on the roadside causes inconvenience to general public, affecting their movement. The administration and police has also made some diversion in traffic, leading to banks of river Narmada, on February 16.

 

Accordingly, two-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles coming from the city towards Gwarighat will be diverted from Avadh Puri turning and will park in Dussehra Maidan, Gate Number 2. The vehicles coming from Bilhari and Tilhari will be parked in the field in front of Geetadham. On Narmada Jayanti, devotees coming from Gwarighat in vehicles will return by taking the route of Bhatouli Virsajan Kund, Kalidham Tiraha, Tilhari Road and Mandla Bypass Road (Narmada Bridge). Metro buses will also be available to transport the crowd, taking them to Retnaka, Big Bazaar and Grenadiers Chowk. All types of auto-rickshaws can transport the devotees to Retnaka and Big Bazaar, considering the crowd.