Amarkantak - Source of river Narmada and Narmada Shakti Peetha

► Amarkantak (Shakti Peetha)
(Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh)

☗ Maikal Range
▶ River Narmada Udgam (Source) → Narmada Udgam Mandir (Aarti)
▶ River Shona Udgam (Source) (Aarti)
▶ River Johila Udgam (Source)
(Vindhya - Satpura Range)

(Skanda Purana - Reva Khanda)
(Matsya Purana)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)

• Devi: Devi abides in Amarkantak as Narmada Shakti Peetha (identified with Narmada Udgam Temple as well as Devi Shonakshi Temple).
- Narmada Udgam Temple
- Devi Shonakshi Temple

• Narmada: River Narmada originates from Amarkantak from the Maikal Mountains. There is a temple of Devi Narmada in Narmada Udgam Sthal and Narmada Aarti is performed near the temple. There is also a temple of Devi Sonakshi near the origin of river Son-Bhadra. Narmada Parikrama is performed in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat which often starts from either Amarkantak or Omkareshwar.
- Narmada Udgam Temple


• Sages: Sages associated with Amarkantak:

○ Markandeya: Sage Markandeya is said to have performed penance worshipping Lord Shiva in Amarkantak. Amarkantak has a Markandeya Ashrama.
- Markandeya Ashram

○ Kapila: Sage Kapila is said to have meditated in Amarkantak. Kapildhara of Amarkantak is identified with the place of meditation.
- Kapildhara

○ Bhrigu: Sage Bhrigu is said to have meditated in Amarkantak. Bhrigukamandal of Amarkantak is identified with the place of meditation.
- Bhrigukamandal


• Saints: Saints associated with Amarkantak:

○ Kabirdas (15th - 16th Century CE): Sri Kabirdas is said to have meditated in Amarkantak. There is a Kabir Chabutra in Amarkantak which is identified with this place.
- Kabir Chabutra


शोणाख्या भद्रसेनस्तु नर्मदाख्ये नितम्बकः ।
रामगिरौ स्तनान्यञ्च शिवानी चण्डभैरवः ॥
- Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 37 (Amarkantak has the Narmada Shakti Peetha where the Nitamba of Devi had fallen)

सबिन्दुसिन्धुसुस्खलत्तरङ्गभङ्गरञ्जितं द्विषत्सु पापजातजातकारिवारिसंयुतम् ।
कृतान्तदूतकालभूतभीतिहारिवर्मदे त्वदीयपादपङ्कजं नमामि देवि नर्मदे ॥
- Narmadashtakam - verse 1 (River Narmada originates from Amarkantak)


(Skanda Purana - Reva Khanda)
(Matsya Purana)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)

▬ Narmada Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Narmada Shakti Peetha where the Nitamba (Buttocks) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Shona and the Bhairava is called Bhadrasena.
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 37)