A natural Shivlinga is found in Khargone in Madhya Pradesh
Bakwan village in Khargone district on the banks of Narmada in Madhya Pradesh is famous for its beauty. This village is also discussed all over the world because of the Narmadeshwar Shivling. Natural Shivlingas have been formed in the stretch of Narmada passing through this village. Shivlingas are created by the stones hitting and rubbing against each other which amaze people. This Shivlinga is in demand all over the world and people buy it for lakhs of rupees and take it from here and install it in their temples.
The people of the Kevat community living in this village give their final touch by carving these natural Shiv Lingas from the bottom of the Narmada. Here the people of the Kevat community work on carving Shivlingas on the lines of cottage industry. They say that Lord Rama blessed his community in Treta. Now the blessings of Lord Shiva are showering in Kali Yuga. According to the local people, there is a very strong current in the Narmada river that originates from this village. Due to which big stones collide with each other.
A natural shivling is formed by itself
Due to the collision, these stones break and as they crack, they automatically transform into the shape of an oval Shivalinga. The villagers take these stones from the banks of the Narmada to their homes and then carve and carve them as required. According to people associated with the work, these stones are already in the shape of the Shivalinga, so carving them does not require much effort. Whatever time it takes, it is spent only on carving them.
Demand comes from abroad
Shivlings are available in this village for Rs 10 to Rs 10 lakh. The demand for specially designed Shivlingas also comes from abroad and lakhs of rupees are paid for those Shivlingas. These stones found at the bottom of river Narmada are brown, black, brown or blue in color. While carving these stones, the artist tries to carve figures like Om, Swastik, Naga, Ganesha, Shiva Parvati, Ardhanareshwar form of Shiva and Tilak on the forehead.
Narmada is a boon for the village
According to the people of Kevat community living in this village, Narmada is no less than a boon for them. The people of this village have been extracting stones from the river for generations and this work is done in every household. Due to this work, people’s homes are running well. The Shivlinga made of these stones is called the Narmadeshwar Shivlinga. According to local people, such Shivlingas are found only within a radius of 15 km between Bakavan village and Maheshwar. Tulsiram Kevat, a resident of Bakwan village involved in the work of Shivlinga, says that the Shivlinga pulled out of Narmada is natural. Lord Shankar resides in every pebble of Narmada.
A seven feet Shivlinga
Shivlingas ranging from one and a half inches to seven feet are available in this village. A big shivling costs at least 5 to 10 lakh rupees. According to Tulsiram Kevat, it sometimes takes up to 3 months to prepare a 7 feet Shivling. Along with this, the cost sometimes comes up to four to five lakhs. Misrilal Kevat, who lives in the same village, says that this is his ancestral work. In his village this work is done in every house and has been done for generations.
