Bhopal: ‘Namami Devi Narmade’-Seva Yatra began with the Aarti of Ma Narmada and tree plantation at the night stay venue by devotees from Badwani district’s Brahmangaon at morning. The jatha of Seva Yatris left for Vishwanathkheda on foot after the Narmada Aarti. Before reaching this village, the jatha was welcomed by village women with the traditional aarti and tilak at several places including Vishwanathkheda, Chainpura and Chichli. The villagers also accorded a warm welcome to the devotees in the traditional way.
Local MP Subhash Patel, Tribal Commission Chairman and District in charge of yatra Bhupendra Arya, Jan Abhiyan Parishad Jabalpur Division and Total Yatra in Charge Shivprasad Malviya, former MLA Devisingh Patel, Social Worker Om Khandelwal, Sukhdev Yadav, Yatra route in charge and SDM Badwani Mahesh Badole, Namami Devi Narmade Seva Yatra Core Group members, local villagers, public representatives and administrative officials were present during the aarti.
As the Namami Devi Narmade Seva Yatra entered the villages it was welcomed amidst beating of drums. Parikramawasi, men, women and children could not stop themselves from dancing and singing the ‘mangal geet’.
The group of Narmada devotees reached Chainpura village via Vishwanathkheda from Brahmangaon. While villagers applied tilak and welcomed the yatris with aarti in the village. Women carrying the kalash of Narmada water on their heads and men hoisting the Narmada flag went from door-to-door spreading the message of Narmada conservation and keeping the river pollution free. Later the villagers served the Narmada Yatris with snacks on pattal and tea in Kulhad.
The villagers accorded a warm welcome to the Yatra at Chichli village. The lunch was served on plates made out of Palash leaves to the yatris. The Parikramawasi next proceeded to Lohara for night halt via Nalwai village. NSS students also extended their significant contribution in the arrangements for the Narmada Seva devotees. NSS Swayam Sevaks of Silawad and Mandwada and NCC Girls’ wing of Sendhwa College assisted the villagers in serving food to the devotees, whereas women from NRLM self-help group contributed by cleaning up the venue where food was served.