The Madhya Pradesh government is planning to set up an institute here with an aim to spread knowledge about Adi Shankaracharya, and include a course on the great saint in school syllabus.
"An institute of eminence in the memory of Adi Shankaracharya will be established at Omkareshwar and a course would be introduced about him in the school syllabus to keep people abreast about the great saint," state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said here today.
Chouhan said this on the occasion of the ongoing 'Namami Devi Narmade - Sewa Yatra', which will be arriving here later in the day.
He also announced a slew of measures for development of Omkareshwar, including waving of the entry tax, and a light and sound show highlighting history of the holy town.
He also said that a grand statue of Adi Shankaracharya would be put up in the town to make people aware about his great journey that ended at the age of 32.
"It was in Omkareshwar where the young Shankar met his Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada in a cave and attained highest spiritual elevations. He founded the four 'matha' (monastries), which helped the historical development, revival and spread of Advaita Vedanta," Chouhan said.
On demand from the saint community, he also announced to ensure regulated flow of water in Narmada river at various places round the year.
He said the state government has already decided to shut liquor shops within five kms of Narmada river banks.
Highlighting steps taken for conservation of Narmada, he said the state government has allocated Rs 1,500 crore for setting up sewage treatment plants in 15 towns on the banks of the river.
He said all towns and villages on Narmada's banks would be open defecation free and a dense plantation would be carried out there to increase water retention capacity.
Terming Narmada as lifeline of Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan said, "It is not merely a river, it is cradle of civilisation and represents a complete culture. This divine and mystique river has been glorified even by the Vedas. It is worshipped as Mother Goddess Narmada for ages."
The function was also addressed by noted saint Awdheshanandji, Sadhvi Rithambara and filmmaker Chandraprakash Dwivedi, among others.
'Namami Devi Narmade - Sewa Yatra' was started on December 11 last year from Amarkantak, the place of Narmada's origin. It will cover 1,831 km on southern bank comprising 548 villages/towns and 1,513 km on northern bank comprising of 556 village/towns, thus covering 3,344 kms in 144 days.
Nearly half of the yatra would be covered through foot march. This awareness campaign will be completed on May 11 this year.
(Reopens BES8)
Welcoming the decision to install a statue of Adi
Shankaracharya at Omkareshwar, Swami Awdheshanand urged the people of Madhya Pradesh to donate whatever metal pieces they can for the cause.
He along with other saints also announced to extend all possible cooperation for the cause.
