Under the silvery glow of Sharad Purnima, the marble valleys of Bhedaghat came alive with light, devotion and melody as the 22nd two-day ‘Narmada Mahotsava’ organised in divine grandeur. The celestial night, blended with the sacred waters of Maa Narmada created surroundings that echoed with the sounds of faith, culture and music. The Mahotsav saw a spiritual surge as devotees and visitors gathered along the riverbanks to witness the confluence of culture, devotion and nature. The air vibrated with devotional energy as renowned bhajan singers Lakhveer Singh Lakha, Maithili Thakur, Abhilipsa Panda and Yuvraj Singh delivered soulful performances that reverberated across the valley. The Mahotsav, conducted in the presence of Transport and School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Religious Endowments Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, PWD Minister Rakesh Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sumitra Balmik drew hundreds of dignitaries, artists and art lovers. Over two days, the audience experienced a kaleidoscope of cultural expressions from traditional bhajans and folk dances to dramatised stories of valour and heritage.

 

One of the most stirring moments came with the play dedicated to Gondwana’s valiant queen, Rani Durgavati, staged by Sanskar Bharati Jabalpur under the direction of Kamlesh Yadav. The powerful portrayal of the queen’s courage, governance and sacrifice not only invoked pride in the region’s glorious past but also reaffirmed the timeless spirit of Bundelkhand and Gondwana. The following performances by Rajasthan’s Jawaharnath Group presenting the traditional Chari and Ghoomar dances mesmerised the audience with their rhythm, colour and grace.

 

On the first evening, Abhilipsa Panda’s devotional renditions set a divine tone, followed by Yuvraj Singh’s classical performances that filled the valley with an aura of reverence. Kamna Nayak and her troupe from Jabalpur presented a graceful Bharatanatyam, while the Jawahar Group’s Kalbeliya folk dance filled the event with vibrancy and regional charm. Beyond its artistic splendour, the Narmada Mahotsava stood as a testament to Madhya Pradesh’s living heritage, a symbol of reverence for the life-giving river that nurtures both land and spirit. For 22 years, this celebration amidst nature’s marble embrace has preserved and promoted India’s cultural soul, echoing the timeless message that Maa Narmada is not merely a river but a sacred lifeline of civilization. People felt an unspoken connection between faith and nature, melody and divinity, a moment where time stood still and the heart bowed in gratitude to Maa Narmada.