Spatial, Temporal, and Phenomenological Conversations of People with Their Scape at Deogaon, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India

Deogaon, a standstill of Narmada Parikramā, is a small village located on the confluence of rivers Narmada and Budhner. Being considered a mother-daughter duo, the confluence has immense religious value among the associated folks. The development of the religious landscape of Deogaon as one of the landmarks of Narmada Parikramā and its continuity could be witnessed in the narratives, architecture, and iconographic evidence found in the place. According to the local narrative, the famous oath of the Paraśurāma to destroy the Kśatriya clan was made here as it is considered the place where the ancient hermitage of his father, sage Jamadagni, was located. Currently, the focal point of all religious activities at Deogaon is a modern hermitage known as the Jamadagni Āśrama. The sacred landscape of Deogaon is made up of many elements developed over time. The people who came across the natural phenomenon of confluence tried to appreciate and decode it in their way. These various explanations became the multiple elements making up the sacred landscape of Deogaon. These elements consist of the river itself as a sacred entity, the ghats of the river, the numerous small shrines on the banks, the old temple, the new temple, and various icons of the Kalachuri and Gond periods. These components have been developed and sustained with the help of community engagement and interaction, both by classes as well as masses. Hence, the present research paper argues on the statement that ‘the difference in the perception of the sacredness between the classes and the masses and their interactions with the natural elements of the geographic location as well as within themselves; led to the development of the multifaceted and multidimensional religious landscape of Deogaon transcending boundaries of time.’