The Narmada Udgam (नर्मदा उद्गम स्थल) is the place where the Narmada River begins. It is a holy pond with white temples around it, in the town of Amarkantak.
It is the most visited temple in Amarkantak. Most of our Amarkantak trips start here.
- What: the starting point (udgam) of the Narmada.
- Where: centre of Amarkantak town, Madhya Pradesh.
- See: the kund, Narmada Mata temple, white shrines.
- Time needed: about 1 hour.
- Best time of day: early morning or evening aarti.
- Big day: Narmada Jayanti (January or February).
What is the Narmada Udgam?
"Udgam" means the starting point of a river. At Amarkantak, water comes up from the ground into a small pond. This pond is the Narmada Kund.
From here the Narmada flows west for about 1,300 km, through Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, into the Arabian Sea.
Tip: The Narmada is one of the few big rivers of India that flows west.
The Narmada Udgam Temple Complex
- ✅ Narmada Kund: the holy pond where the river starts.
- ✅ Narmada Mata Temple: the main temple of the goddess.
- ✅ Many white shrines: small temples all around the kund.
- ✅ Amarkanteshwar Shiva: a Shiva shrine inside the complex.
- ✅ Old temples nearby: the Kalachuri temples, a short walk away.
The temple is said to be very old. Later it was repaired by the Bhonsle kings of Nagpur and by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar.
Darshan and Aarti
| What | When | In one line |
|---|---|---|
| Darshan | Morning to night | Open all day, calm in the early morning. |
| Morning aarti | Early morning | Peaceful, fewer people. |
| ⭐ Evening aarti | Around sunset | Lamps, bells and songs, best time to come. |
Tip: Aarti times change a little with the season. Ask at the temple on the day.
Which Rivers Start at Amarkantak?
1Narmada River
Starts at the Narmada Udgam and flows west to the Arabian Sea.
- The holiest river of Madhya Pradesh.
2Son River
Starts at Sonmuda, about 1.5 km away, and flows north to the Ganga.
- See our Sonmuda guide.
3Johila River
A smaller river that also starts in the Amarkantak hills.
- It later joins the Son River.
Narmada Jayanti and Festivals
- 🎉 Narmada Jayanti: the birthday of Maa Narmada, in January or February. The whole town glows with lamps.
- 🔱 Mahashivratri: a big fair, many pilgrims.
- 🚶 Narmada Parikrama: many people start the walk around the Narmada here.
- 🪔 Every evening: aarti at the kund.
Tip: On festival days the town is very full. Book your hotel early.
Places Near the Narmada Udgam
1Kalachuri Temples
Stone temples about 1,000 years old, right behind the kund.
- See Pataleshwar Mahadev and Karna Mandir.
2Mai Ki Bagiya
A green garden of Goddess Narmada.
- Calm, shady and full of fruit trees.
3Kapildhara Waterfall
The first big waterfall of the young Narmada.
For the full list, see our places to visit in Amarkantak.
- See our Kapildhara guide.
How to Reach the Narmada Udgam
- 🚆 Train: Pendra Road station, about 42 km away.
- 🚗 Road: Jabalpur about 230 km, Bilaspur about 120 km.
- 🛕 In town: the temple is in the centre, easy to walk to.
Want to see the Narmada Udgam with no stress? We plan your car, hotel and darshan. See our Amarkantak tour packages. Want more of the state? See our Madhya Pradesh tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Narmada Udgam?
In Amarkantak town, Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh.
What is the origin of the Narmada River?
The Narmada starts at the Narmada Kund in Amarkantak.
Which rivers start from Amarkantak?
The Narmada, the Son and the Johila.
In which direction does the Narmada flow?
West, into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat.
When is the aarti at the Narmada Udgam?
Morning and evening. The evening aarti around sunset is the best.
When is Narmada Jayanti?
In January or February each year, on Magh Shukla Saptami.
How much time is needed at the Narmada Udgam?
About 1 hour for darshan and a walk around the kund.
