7 km painting to capture Narmada river heritage:Minister Prahlad Patel’s daughter to embark on 2-year Parikrama

Madhya Pradesh Minister Prahlad Patel’s daughter Pratigya Singh Patel, is set to undertake an extraordinary 1,330 kilometer Narmada Parikrama, during which she will create a 7-kilometer-long painting depicting the river, its banks, heritage sites, and submerged spiritual spots.
Beginning on 15 December from Amarkantak, the journey is expected to take about two years, making it one of the longest art-based river pilgrimages ever attempted. A unique Narmada Parikrama Unlike routine Narmada circumambulations, Pratigya’s journey blends spirituality, environmental consciousness, and documentation. According to the plan shared with Bhaskar, she plans to paint the landscapes along both banks of the river—from Amarkantak to the Arabian Sea—transforming the pilgrimage into a massive visual archive. Seven-kilometre painting to target world record Pratigya will sketch scenes every 150 kilometers into a one-kilometre segment of the painting. Prominent spiritual sites like Amarkantak and Omkareshwar may extend up to 1.5–2 kilometers on canvas. The final work aims to achieve 7,000 meters, surpassing the current world record of 5,300 meters. Submerged heritage to be brought alive Drawing from video recordings of her father’s 1994 and 2005 Narmada Parikramas, Pratigya plans to recreate spiritual sites now submerged due to dam projects.
“My father has a 52-minute video of his early parikrama. Based on that, I will show how spiritual sites looked in 1994 and 2005,” she said. Support system for the journey Pratigya’s aunt will accompany her throughout the pilgrimage. A mini truck has been customised to carry painting equipment, stands, and documentation tools. Drone cameras will capture visuals from difficult-to-reach spots. Eco-friendly art for an environmental message Committed to sustainability, Pratigya will avoid synthetic colours, opting instead for natural pigments made from stones and plant-based glue.
She says the objective is to inspire people to preserve the sacred river, Narmada Maiyya is life-giving. Earlier, people used copper coins and cotton cloth to help maintain river ecology. Today, plastic-laced offerings pollute the river. Through my artwork, I want people to understand and revive our eco-friendly traditions. To be displayed at 2028 Ujjain Simhastha The first phase of the journey will last five months, ending before monsoon. The complete painting will be showcased during the 2028 Simhastha in Ujjain, as per the family’s plan. Bhaskar’s questions to Pratigya Singh Patel Q: What is your overall plan for the journey? A: “I will begin painting from Amarkantak in the coming days. Since starting Parikrama in the month of Paush is not permitted, I have already initiated the process on Datt Purnima at Bharuch in the presence of Dada Guru. My father and I have planned the route, identifying spiritual sites where I must stay longer. Every seven days, I will receive a new route map.
We have taken a vow that the painting will be 7 km long. The current Guinness World Record is 5,300 meters. I intend to create a 7,000-meter oil painting.
This will be a Hanuman-style Parikrama, covering both banks of the river. I will document temples, heritage spots, and traditions along the way.” Q: What will you depict in the painting? A: “My work is largely centred on the environment. Indian rivers are considered living entities and mothers. I want to show how our traditions protected natural resources.
In earlier times, copper was used for river purification, but today people use alum or rock salt because copper is scarce. Cotton cloth offered in rituals became fish food.
These practices reflected ecological wisdom. Now people offer plastic-filled chunaris, which harm the river. I hope my painting helps revive sensitivity toward environmental traditions. This is not just for aesthetics—it is a cultural documentation.” Q: How long will the journey take? A: “Narmada is 1,330 km long. Parikrama traditionally begins after Dev Uthani Ekadashi and must end by Dev Shayani Ekadashi.
Given the scale of documentation and the slow process of oil painting—it can take 3–4 days for even a small portion—I estimate the journey will take about two years.
I will dedicate 5–6 months initially to continuous painting. The goal is that anyone who sees this artwork should understand the essence of parikrama. Even places that are now submerged will be depicted.” Q: Where will the painting be displayed? A: “The final plan is undecided, but Dada Guru suggested showcasing it during the 2028 Simhastha.
I currently spend nearly 12 hours a day painting, but during the journey, daylight will determine how long I can work each day.”