'Narmaday har' is the standard local greeting in Maheshwar, meaning 'hail to the Narmada River'. The fact that this phrase is the daily greeting here is a sign of the importance of the sacred river's waters; spiritually and practically speaking it's a focal point of daily life.
The gaats on the banks of the river are full of activity – people walking to and from the ashrams nearby, washing their clothes, bathing themselves in the holy waters, worshipping at the aarti ceremonies. A dip in the holy waters of the Narmada is said to cleanse the bather of their sins for 10 years to come; we certainly felt lighter.
Up from the river is Rehwa Society, a not-for-profit handweaving workshop set up by Ahilya Fort . Rehwa is keeping the handweaving tradition alive here, one that's been around in Maheshwar since the 5th century, supporting the weavers in their craft and providing the Ahilya School for their children. ︎ Map
