Family sources said the pilgrimage is expected to conclude in about 15 days and will cover major religious and cultural centres along the river’s course. The route includes Maheshwar and Barwani in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Rajpipla and Garudeshwar in Gujarat’s Narmada district, Bharuch, and the Narmada Sagar Sangam near the Gulf of Khambhat.
Dr Abhimanyu and Dr Ishita are undertaking the parikrama along with close family members. Also participating in the journey are their elder sister, Dr Akanksha Yadav, her husband, and their elder brother, Vaibhav Yadav, along with his wife. The family began the pilgrimage with rituals at Omkareshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
The Narmada Parikrama is considered a significant spiritual practice in central India and is traditionally performed on foot or with minimal conveyance, symbolising devotion and discipline. While details of the daily schedule have not been officially shared, sources indicated that the family plans to complete the journey in a simple and private manner.
The pilgrimage follows the wedding of Dr Abhimanyu and Dr Ishita, which took place on November 30 in Ujjain. The couple married during a mass wedding ceremony held at Sanwarkhedi, where 22 couples tied the knot. The ceremony drew wide attention due to the presence of senior political leaders and religious figures.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Governor Mangubhai Patel, state ministers including Tulsi Silawat, and prominent religious leaders such as Baba Ramdev and Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri attended the event. Baba Ramdev recited mantras during the Varmala rituals.
The Chief Minister has not issued any official statement regarding the pilgrimage, but party leaders described it as a personal and spiritual decision by the family.
