Badarinath - A glimpse

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Today is Akshaya Truteeya, the 3rd day of the new moon

in the month of Vaishaka and is very auspicious. The

temples of Badarinath (one of the eight Svayam Vyaktha

Kshetragalu) situated in the mighty Himalayas is

re-opened after a break of six months.

Here is small description of this sacred Tapo Bhoomi.

 

 

PS: Contents extracted and edited from www.hillore.com

 

One of the four Dhams, Badrinath is situated between

Nara and Narayana with glittering Neelakantha peaks in

the background and wild berries (from which the name

Badari came into existence) around. The temple is

administered by Badrinath and Kedarnath Temple

Committee. The chief priest is known as Rawal who is

a Namboodari Brahmin from Kerala.

 

He is assisted by the Bhatt Brahmins of Devaprayaga.

The priest and the other assistant pandits are well

versed with Vedas, Geeta, and other scriptures. The

various Pujas that are done include Maha Abhisheka,

Abhisheka, Srinagara and Arati which are offered in

the morning and evening with chanting of Vedic hymns

and reciting of Suprabhatam and Geeta. The temple is

opened on Akshaya Truteeya for about six months. It

is tradition that on the closing day (which is after

BaliPadyami), a woolen cloth is spun and woven by the

unmarried girls of a nearby village and offered to

Lord Vishnu to protect him from the chilly winter. An

Akhanda Jyoti (lamp) is lit which keeps on burning

till the opening day and it’s sight is considered

auspicious. During winter pujas are offered at an

altenate temple in the Joshimatha. It is beleived that

even when the temple is closed for six months due to

harsh weather conditions, one can still listen to

Vedic chants and ringing of bells inside. It is

belived that Devathas (starting from Brahma,

VayuDevaru and others) are themselves worshipping

Lord Vishnu in the form of Nara-Narayana.

 

Some interesting sights in and around Badari:-

 

Tapta Kunda

 

A pleasant and refreshing hot water bath before the

Darshan of the Lord Badrinath. The hot water spring

originates from Garuda Shila.

 

Narada Kunda

 

It is believed this Kunda is from where Shankaracharya

retrieved the idol of Lord Badrinath. It is said that

several idols are still lying in the Kunda.

 

Pancha Shilas

 

Five huge stone boulders are located around the Tapta

Kunda. It is believed that Narada Shila, Garuda Shila

and Markandeya Shila were used for meditation by the

sagese. Incarnations of Lord Vishnu namely Narasimha

and Varaha are said to be present in the of Shilas.

 

Pancha Dharas

 

Five streams named as Prahalada, Kurma, Urvashi,

Bhrigu and Indira originate from the Neelakantha, Nara

and Narayana.

 

Sesha Netra

A shape of one eye of Sesha Devaru is engraved upon a

huge stone.

 

Urvashi Temple

Temple dedicated to Urvashi.

 

Charana Paduka

This is said to be imprints of foot prints of Lord

Vishnu.

 

Mata Murti Mandira

 

A small temple opposite the Mana Village on the banks

of Alakhnanda river belongs to the mother of the Lord.

It is tradition to have the doors of the temple to

remain closed except for one day when it is believed

that the Lord visits his mother in the month of

Bhadrapada

 

Vyasa Guha

Legend is that VedaVyasa Devaru dictated his great

epic Mahabharta to Ganapathi at a cave called Vyas

Guha.

 

Bheema Pul

A huge boulder said to be laid by VayuDevaru to cross

the river.

 

Vasudhara Falls

The 122 meters high Vasudhara Falls present

aspectacular view of showering water streams swinging

on the tune of winds with majestic looking around.

 

Lakshmi Vana

Dense forest consisting of Bhoja Patra trees. The bark

of these trees were used for writing scriptures in

ancient times.

 

Alkapuri

Origin of Alakhnanda river. Located at the base of

Balkun peak and said to be capital of Kubera Devatha,

the Treasurer of Gods.

 

Chakra Tiratha

A splendid landscape between Nara and Narayana

several icy springs flowing down the Satopantha Lake

 

Swargarohini

It is a triangular lake at a height of 4402 Meters

with 1 KM perimeter and yawning Glaciers around. It is

said that the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra

Devaru are meditating on three corners of the lake. -

Swargarohini means path to Heavens which was used by

the Pandavas. It is an inaccessible seven stepped peak

believed to be used by Pandavs for ascending to

heaven.

 

Regards

 

In the service of Shri. Hari, Vayu and Gurugalu.

Rekha

 

 

 

 

 

 

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