Bank Of Narmada Echo With Ovation Of Lord Shiva, Ahilyabai

Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh): At sunset, Ahilya Ghat, located on the bank of the holy Narmada here, came alive with a very special and spiritual programme to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar on Saturday.

To note, Maheshwar was the seat of the Holkar dynasty.

This programme to mark the extraordinary legacy of the trailblazer queen, who was one of the most remarkable rulers in Indian history, was held under Prince Yashwant Rao Holkar-III, a descendent of the Holkar dynasty.

In the backdrop of the samadhi of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar (who made Maheshwar the capital of Malwa region in 1766), 300 women crafted an equal number of parthiv (clay) Shivling and worshipped them, performing ‘abhishek’ and ‘arti’ amid the chanting of Rudra mantras. 

This marked a special tribute to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, who rolled out the tradition of worshipping Lord Shiva by crafting his clay idol, commonly known as parthiv Shivlinga, in 1767. The tradition has continued in Maheshwar fort ever since.

300 women crafted the clay shivlinga on the bank of Narmada River on Saturday

Prince Yashwant Rao Holkar, along with his wife Nayrika Holkar, two lovely kids Martandrao Holkar and baby Chandrawati, was the main host of the spiritual event and performed the pujan, ‘abhishek’ and ‘arti’ on behalf of the Holkar royal family.

On this occasion Shivajirao Holkar-II, the descendents of other royal families and those of commanders of Devi Ahilyabai were specially present. In the beginning, renowned singer Kalapini Komkali sang Narmadashtakam.

Earlier in the day, the members of the Holkar royal family garlanded the statue of Devi Ahlyabai and worshipped the Rajgaddi (throne), sitting on which Devi Ahilyabai Holkar ruled the Malwa region. The statue and the Rajgaddi are both in Maheshwar fort.

Talking to the Free Press, Prince Yashwant Rao Holkar-III expressed extreme happiness on the way tributes were paid to Maa Saheb (Devi Ahilybai Holkar). He said that this could be done due to the blessings of Maa Saheb.

No representative from state present

The Central and the state governments organised various programmes across the country to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar and even PM Narednra Modi participated in a mammoth women’s programme in Bhopal.

But ironically, no representative from the state or Centre or from the Khargone district administration was present in the programme organised at the place (Maheshwar) from where she ruled the Malwa region.