जल विरासत • Water Heritage

Water & River Heritage

The sacred Shipra River — lifeblood of Ujjain, site of the Kumbh Mela, and the axis around which the city's spiritual geography revolves.

Shipra (Kshipra)शिप्रा (क्षिप्रा)

EtymologyFrom Sanskrit 'kshipra' meaning 'swift-flowing'
Length195 km
SourceKakri Bardi Hills, near Indore
Flows intoChambal River confluence

Sacred Status

Bathing in the Shipra is considered equivalent to bathing in the Ganges. Worshipped as river goddess Kshipra Devi.

The Sacred Origin of the Shipra

Varaha Purana

The river Kshipra (Shipra) originated from the heart of Varaha, Vishnu's boar avatar. When Varaha lifted the Earth from the cosmic ocean, drops of blood and sweat from his body created the sacred river. The river is 195 km long, flowing northward through Ujjain to the Chambal.

Sacred Ghats of the Shipra

Narmada-Shipra Link Project

Completed

2015

Investment

Part of Rs 8000 crore Narmada-Malwa Link

Purpose

Restored perennial flow by lifting Narmada water to Shipra's source via pumps and pipes.