In the month of ‘Chaitra’- first month of Hindu calendar, thousands of devotees circumambulate the patch of river Narmada between Rampura and Tilakwada village in Narmada district of Gujarat. The walking pilgrimage is called, “Uttarvahini Narmada Parikrama”.
Narmada, fifth largest river in India, is westward flowing river. However, it flows northward between Rampura village and Tilakwada before it takes a turn towards east and merges into the Gulf of Cambay in the Arabian sea near Bharuch. The north flowing river or patch of the river is believed to be sacred in Indian tradition and devotees start the year with Parikrama of river Narmada – one of India’s seven holy rivers. The ~21- kilometre walking pilgrimage also poses a challenge of plastic and other waste management on the banks of river Narmada and in the villages around.
This year, 28 volunteers from Vadodara, decided to do pilgrimage, mindfully. Led by Lovanyasen Singh who runs ‘Free The Tree’ initiative in Vadodara, the team started Parikrma from Tilakwada on 13 April 2024. In an eight hour walking pilgrimage, the group collected around 80 kilograms of plastic waste, which they disposed of in large bins installed by the authorities along the river.
Describing the experience, divine and eye-opening, Singh said, “Though It was encouraging to witness dustbins at several points on the route, we found piles of plastic waste on the route. Also, it was disheartening to see thousands of Gutka sachets – second most waste in our collection that night. If we can be a little mindful, we can easily avoid plastic and other waste during Parikrama. In a group we had the youngest volunteer of age 10 and the eldest one was 70, it was divine to witness their energy and dedication.”
“It was a collaborative effort. Volunteers from three non profit organisations of Vadodara – Free the Tree group, Vishvamitri Seva Samiti and Devasya Foundation,” added singh.