Badrinath

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Considered as one of the most sacred centres of

pilgrimage, Badrinath is situated in the Tehri-Garhwal

hill tracks (Uttarakhand) at the height of 10,248 feet

above sea level.

 

The sanctum here houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber (

God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan.

Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is

armed with Conch (Shankh) and Chakra in two arms in a

lifted posture and two more arms rested on the lap in

Yogamudra. The principal deity is of black stone and

it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The

temple also houses Garud (Vahana – vehicle of Lord

Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi (referred as

Arvidavalli Thayar by Tamilians). Also here are the

murtis of Adi Sankara, Swami Desikan and Shri

Ramanujar.

 

The beginning of Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to

have its roots here. This is symbolised by two range

of mountains – Nar range of mountains (representing

the individual soul - Jeevatma) and Narayan range of

mountains (on which side is the temple situated –

representing the supreme reality - Paramatma). These

forms were used to convey the Ashtakshara mantras,

Vedhas and their importance. River Alaknanda,

considered to be one of the most sacred, divides the

two ranges of mountains.

 

In the backdrop of the temple and Narayan range of

mountains is the NeelKant Parvath – ice clad mountain

which is a feast to watch in the early morning hours

when it sparkles at the time of sunrise. This majestic

peak of Himalayas is of 19800-ft height.

 

It is said that "there are many sacred spots of

pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether world,

but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall

there be".

 

Legends associated with this temple: MahaVishnu is

believed to have done his penance in this place.

Seeing the Lord doing his penance in the open, Goddess

Mahalaxmi is believed to have assumed the form of

Badri (elandai) tree to provide him shelter to face

the onslaught of the weather conditions, hence the

name of Badri Narayan.

 

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu identified Nar & Naryan

forms to be of his own to Narad Rishi. Narad Rishi did

his penance here and is believed to be worshipping

these forms of supreme God with the Ashtakshara mantra

even now.

 

Weather conditions are such that, worship could be

offered in this temple only for 6 months (May to early

part of November - From tamil month Chittirai to

Aippasi). During the winter period, the shrine remains

closed (to be opened only on Chritra Pournami – Full

moon day of tamil month Chitrai) and during this

intervening period it is believed that Divine beings

conduct poojas to Lord Vishnu. In accordance with

established Hindu rituals of conducting poojas without

any break, the Utsavars (bronze images) are taken with

all reverence to Pandukeshvar - abode for Lord Badri

Vishal during winter. On the day of reopening of the

main shrine at Badri, these images are taken back.

 

Rituals offerings to pitrus (souls of the dead) are

performed at Brahma Kapaalam (located at a distance of

200ft from the main shrine) on the banks of Alaknanda,

by offering prasad (rice food) of Lord Badri Narayan.

 

Panch Badris:

 

Vishal Badri : Refers to the main Shri Badri Narayan

Temple and is considered to be the most sacred.

Yogathyan Badri: Located at a distance of 24 kms from

Badri Nath and at 20 kms from Joshimath. This is also

the place where Maharaj Pandu (father of the Pandava

princes) prayed to Pandukeshwar.

Bhavishya Badri : This is located at 17 kms from

Joshimath and is a small village.

Preetha Badri : Located at 17 kms from Joshimath at

place called Animath. Adi Sankara is believed to have

worshipped Lord Badri Nath for some time.

Adi Badri : This is located at a distance of 16 kms

from KarnaPrayag. Several temples constructed during

Gupta Dynasty are here of which Mana Narayanan temple

is considered to be the most popular one.

Village Mana

 

Vyas Guh

 

This village, located at a distance of 3 kms from

Badri is the last Indian Village situated in the

Indo-China Border and has gained historical importance

on account of Vysas Caves. This village, located on

the banks of River Saraswathi (only place where this

river can be seen) is very beautiful. Vyas Maharishi

(Sage), author of Mahabharata is believed to have

lived in the caves named after him. Another Cave

called as Ganesh Guh (cave) is also located in this

village.

 

The village also boasts of Keshav Prayag– Sangamam

(confluence) of Rivers Saraswathi and Alaknanda.

 

Vasudhara Falls & Bhimpul Falls are nearby. Like

Badri, the village becomes inaccessible during winter

(almost 6 months) and the entire village vacates and

moves to a safer place down the hills.

 

Associate Temples:

 

Joshimath:

 

There are separate temples for Lord Narasimha and Lord

Vasudev (different forms of Lord Vishnu). This is one

of the 108 Divya Desams (sung by Sacred Vaishnavaite

Saints).

 

In the temple for Lord Narasimha , separate statues of

Badri narayan, Uthavar, Kuber, Chandikadevi, Ram,

Lakshman, Sita and Garud can be seen together in the

sanctum sanctorum. Outside the temple separate statues

of Brahma, Krishana, Lakshmi & Anjaneya can be seen.

Vyas Maharishi is believed to have worshipped Goddess

Lakshmi here. The presiding deity Lord Narasimha is

believed to have been established by Adi Sankara. It

is widely believed that one hand of the presiding

deity is getting weakened and the day it disjoints,

the way to Badri will get eternally blocked and Lord

Badri Narayan will thereafter give darshan only from

either Bhavishya Badri or Adi Badri (part of Panch

Badris).

 

The temple of Lord Vasudev houses Lord Vasudev in the

sanctum sanctorum as well as Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Leela

devi, Oorvasi devi & Balram in the outer praharam.

Further separate structures are available for

Vinayaka, Brahma, Indira, Chandran(Moon), Navadurgas &

Gauri Shankar.

 

Pandukeshwar: This place is believed to have been

established by King Pandu, father of Pandavas. It is

situated at 4kms from Govind Ghat, 219 kms from

Kedarnath and 24 kms from Badrinath. There are two

temples – one for Lord Yogabadri Narayan and the other

for Lord Vasudev. During winter, Lord Vasudev temple

will function as the abode for Lord Badri Narayan and

all the daily rituals connected with worship are

performed here. Both the temples are quite old.

 

Web site : http://www.templenet.com/badri.html

 

 

 

 

 

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