Mumbai to Delhi

The Narmada flows through deep gorges, following the trench that divides the Vindhya and Satpura Mountains.

1909 - Map showing the mouth of the Narmada River in Gujarat (shown at the top of the image).

The Narmada River is the fifth largest river in India, stretching 1,300km from Madhya Pradesh to Gujarat where it empties into the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Khambhat.

The Melghat Tiger Reserve is one of the largest national parks in the Narmada Valley.

The dry deciduous forests of the Narmada Valley support many large mammal species, such as deer.

The Narmada River runs in a depression between the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges.

The Narmada Valley supports dry deciduous forests which are home to many species of animals and plants.

A tiger cools off in one of the tribuaries of the Narmada River in the Bandhavgarh National Park - one of several national parks in the Narmada Valley.

The Greater Indian Bustard is one of the rarest species found in the Narmada Valley, with only an estimated 250 birds remaining in the wild.

The Narmada Valley is covered in dry deciduous forest, which is home to a large number of plant and animal species.

The Narmada River flows for 1,300km through three states of India.

The Narmada River cuts a winding path through the steep marble cliffs of western India.

Marble Rocks form the walls of the Narmada River for a stretch as it winds through Gujarat.

Ghats, or steps, lead into the Narmada River along its length for those wishing to take a purifying dip in the holy water.

A temple in Maneshwar has ghats, or steps, that lead right into the Narmada River to allow worshippers to enter the holy water with ease.

Omkareshwar Temple on the banks of the Narmada River. The river is considered one of the most sacred of the five holy rivers and its banks are lined with temples like this.

Bathing ghats, or platforms, are found along the Narmada River to allow people easy access to the water to cleanse themselves.

The Narmada is visted by thousands of Hindus each year who consider it one of the holiest rivers in India.

The river is an important part of every day life for those who live near it.

Women sell marble gathered from the banks of the sacred Narmada River.

The Narmada River is one of the most sacred of the five holy rivers in India. People bathe in its waters every day.

The banks of the Narmada River are lined with temples, this one at Armarkantak has been built right into the water.

Large Shiva Lingham stones ready for sale. The stones are used in daily worship by Hindus and can be very valuable.

A woman annoints a white bull statue of Nandi with water from the Narmada. Legend suggests the Ganges cleanses itself each year in the Narmada, arriving as a black cow and leaving as a white one.

The Narmada River is known for its purifying qualities. Hindus wash in the river to cleanse themselves of sin.

Shiva Lingham stones form on the bed of the Narmada River and are polished into perfect ovals. They are used by some Hindus during prayer.

The Omkareshwar Dam on the Narmada River upstream from the island of Omkareshwar.

The Sardar Sarovar Canal is one of the largest lined canals in the world. It carries water from the dam's reservoirs to use in irrigation.

The Jobat Dam in Madhya Pradesh crosses one of the Narmada's tributaries and is one of the most recently completed dams in the Narmada Valley Project.

A plan for the location of proposed dams along the Narmada River. In total, more than 3,000 dams are planned along the river and its tributaries.

The Sadar Sarovar Dam is the largest of the dams to have been built so far on the Narmada River.

1988 - People protest in the streets of Bombay against the Narmada River Valley Project.

1988 - A poster advertises the cement company contracted to construct the contraversial Sadar Sarovar Dam.

Protesters against the damming of the Narmada River. The damming project remains extremely controversial today.

1988 - Protesters rally against the construction of dams on the Narmada.

The Sadar Sarovar Dam under construction. This is the largest of the dams to have been built along the Narmada River.

Building work on the Sadar Sarovar Dam has begun to increase it by another 20 metres in height.

The Narmada River Project is one of the largest engineering projects in India. Around 3,000 dams are planned along the river and its tributaries.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the largest dams on the Narmada River. Proposals to increase the dam's height have recently been passed.