Man completes 3,500 km Narmada Parikrama on his hands:24-year-old Dharampuri Maharaj lives on 1 roti; US based scientist undergoing research

India has long witnessed extreme forms of ascetic devotion, from the Aghoris of the Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela to yogis performing severe Hatha Yoga penance. Last year’s Mahakumbh saw practitioners bathing in icy water drawn from dozens of pots and others subjecting their bodies to astonishing physical ordeals. A similarly rare and demanding display of spiritual discipline is now unfolding in Madhya Pradesh. Dharampuri Maharaj’s parikrama on hands Dharampuri Maharaj, a saint of the Niranjani Akhada, has embarked on an unprecedented Narmada Parikrama, circumambulating the river entirely by walking on his hands, face down, in an upside-down posture. Pilgrimage described as blend of meditation Covering nearly 3,500 kilometres over 12 years, the pilgrimage is being described by devotees and fellow saints as a blend of meditation, penance and living spiritual science. An Unprecedented Form of Devotion Traditionally, devotees perform the Narmada Parikrama by walking, prostrating, or occasionally using vehicles. Dharampuri Maharaj has transformed this ancient ritual into an intense yogic vow, committing himself to complete the entire journey upside down, moving forward only on his hands. The pilgrimage began on Vijayadashami, 2 October 2025, from Amarkantak in Anuppur district — the sacred source of the Narmada River. If completed as planned, the journey will conclude in 2037. So far, Maharaj has already covered 105 kilometres, progressing slowly through steep and challenging terrain. Reaching Chhapri Village Recently, Dharampuri Maharaj reached Chhapri village, around 12 kilometres from Dindori, setting up camp near the Dindori–Mandla state highway. The news of his arrival spread quickly, drawing villagers who travelled uphill routes to seek his blessings. Visitors often arrived exhausted, while the saint — despite the harsh conditions — remained composed. After meeting devotees in the evening, he retired to his tent, with disciples requesting visitors to return the following morning. A Morning in the Camp When the Dainik Bhaskar team reached the camp around 6:45 am, dense fog and freezing cold blanketed the valley. From outside the tent, the glow of a sacred fire was visible, accompanied by the sound of bells and mantras, giving the impression of an ongoing aarti. Disciple Yogesh Katare emerged and invited the journalists inside. Dharampuri Maharaj sat calmly, wearing only a loincloth, smearing sacred ash from the dhuni onto his body despite the cold. Smiling, he said simply, “What I am doing is not for myself, but for all of you.” “Mother Narmada Raised Me” Asked about his age, Dharampuri Maharaj replied, “I am 24 years old.” He said he hails from Ratna village in Bajag block, Dindori, near the banks of the Narmada. He does not know his parents but remembers growing up in an ashram near the river. At the age of seven, he travelled across India with saints. By 12, his guru permitted him to undertake the Narmada Parikrama. He has since completed the parikrama three times, walking the traditional route. “Whenever I think of my parents, I feel they must be happy seeing me engaged in service to humanity,” he said. “During the parikrama, it feels as if Mother Narmada is holding my finger and guiding me.” A Strict Daily Routine Maharaj’s day begins at 3 am. After bathing, he prepares prasad and performs early worship rituals. Due to the cold weather, the physical journey usually starts between 9 and 10 am, after meeting devotees. Each day, he covers two to two-and-a-half kilometres, resting for a day or two at certain locations. Despite the strain, he says he has no blisters on his hands and no bodily pain, attributing this to Mother Narmada’s blessings. Why Walk on Hands? This is Dharampuri Maharaj’s fourth Narmada Parikrama, but the first undertaken upside down. “The guru ordered it,” he said without hesitation. His guru, Shankarpuri Maharaj, explained the inspiration by reciting verses from the Ayodhya Kand of the Ramayana, describing Bharat’s devotion to Lord Ram — expressing the wish to walk on his head on the same path Ram had walked. “With that same devotion,” Shankarpuri Maharaj said, “I gave this instruction, and my disciple accepted.” A 12-Year Spiritual Discipline The full circumambulation will take 12 years. During summer, the journey begins earlier in the day, while the four monsoon months are spent stationary, as tradition dictates. The saint’s austerity is also reflected in his diet: after completing the day’s journey, he eats only one roti, dal and a glass of milk. Scientist-Turned Saint Walks Along Among the accompanying disciples is Yogesh Katare, who is not only a monk but also a scientist. He topped Pharmacy studies at Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, earned a PhD from JNU, Delhi, conducted research at the University of California, and studied in Canada. He also served as a professor in Bhopal. “I came to India for three months to research the Narmada,” he said. “Those three months became three years. This is not just a pilgrimage — it is research. Our religion is a science, and this parikrama is its living experiment.” Four Companions, One Purpose Four disciples walk together throughout the journey: Their coordination ensures that tents are erected ahead of time and that worship rituals resume as soon as the saint arrives. Crowds Line the Route Wherever Dharampuri Maharaj passes, the atmosphere turns festive. Villagers wait for hours, women sing bhajans, and crowds gather when he pauses. Local resident Santosh Rajak said, “For three months, seeing this penance has brought peace to my mind. Saints who undertake Narmada Parikrama for humanity are rare.” How the Journey Moves Forward At around 10 am, chants of “Jai Maa Narmada” echo as Maharaj resumes his journey. After prayers, he places his palms on the ground and begins moving forward, face down, on his hands. Each stretch lasts about 15–16 minutes, followed by rest. The cycle continues until afternoon. Breaking Human Limits According to available records, the longest hand-walking feats include Sara Champ Mann (UK), who covered 5,000 metres in eight hours in 2002, and Johann Hurlinger (Austria), who reportedly walked 1,400 kilometres on his hands in 1900. Dharampuri Maharaj’s journey far exceeds these distances — spread across years and terrain — making it unique in recorded spiritual history. Narmada Parikrama: An Ancient Tradition Author Amritlal Vegad, in The River of Beauty Narmada, writes of ancient lamp offerings to the river and prayers seeking inner illumination. Scriptures such as the Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana credit Rishi Markandeya as the first to perform the Narmada Parikrama, a journey that took him 45 years. The Only River Circumambulated Narmada is the only river in the world whose complete circumambulation is a religious tradition. The journey runs from Amarkantak to the Arabian Sea, keeping the river on the pilgrim’s right side, typically taking three years, three months and 13 days when done on foot. Flowing east to west, the Narmada spans 1,312 kilometres, passing through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat before meeting the Gulf of Khambhat. A Path of Spiritual Purification According to belief, the Narmada emerged from Lord Shiva’s sweat, making it even more sacred than the Ganga. Scriptures describe the parikrama as a path of renunciation, humility and inner cleansing — where merely seeing or touching the river is believed to destroy sins. Dharampuri Maharaj’s upside-down pilgrimage adds a rare chapter to this timeless tradition, redefining the limits of faith, endurance and devotion.