Badrinath
dhaam is considered as one of the most sacred centres of pilgrimage.
Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is armed
with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture
and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.
Badrinath Temple is also called Badri Vishal, situated in
the lofty Himalayan heights in the Tehri-Garhwal hill tracks
(Uttarakhand) at the height of 10,248 feet above sea level.
The temple has three sections - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), The
Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The temple’s present structure
was built by the Kings of Garhwal about two centuries ago.
The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber
(God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan.
The route to Badrinath is one of the most arduous one due
to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most
scenically beautiful place on the earth.
The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu
seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana
– vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Also here
are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujan
Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.The
principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu
seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana
– vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. As per the
tradition decided by Lord Brahma the temple would be open
for six months i.e from Hindu calender month Vaishaka to Karthik
for darshan to common people. For the remaining six months
i.e from Margashsish to Chaitra the temple would be closed
for darshan by common people as it is Devas turn for Lord’s
darshan. High temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is built
in the form of a cone with a small cupola of gilt bull and
spire. Built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya - the philosopher-saint
of the 8th century, the temple has been renovated several
times due to damage by avalanches. Its colourful 'Singh Dwara'
or the main entrance gate gives it a new, modern look. The
temple divided into three parts - the 'garbha griba' or sanctum
sanctorum, the 'darshan mandap' where the rituals are conducted
and the 'sabha mandap'where devotees assemble.The complex
has 15 idols. Especially attractive is the one metre high
image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents
Lord Vishnu seated in meditative pose.
Tapt Kund: Devotees take a holy dip in the natural thermal
springs on the banks of the river Alaknanda, before entering
the Badrinath Temple. The water of the kund is believed to
have medicinal properties. When River Ganges was requested
to descend to earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth
was too feeblw to bear the force of tis descent. Hence the
mighty river was split into twelve channels, one of them being
Alaknanda, which later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or
Badrinath. The present temple was built about two centuries
ago by the kings of Garhwal. The principal idol in the temple
is of black stone and represents Vishnu seated in a meditative
pose, and flanked by Nara-Narayan. Badrinath is also known
as Vishal Badri and is one of the Panch Badris.
Panch Badris or Five Badris: Besides the main temple of Badrinath
there are four other smaller badri temples. These are collectively
called the panch badris or five badris. Very few pilgrims
however, visit the other four Badri temples.
Bhavishya Badri (2,744 m.): The bhavishya or future badri
is situated at Subain near Tapovan, about 17 km east of Joshimath.
According to Hindu belief, when evil is on the rise in this
world, the two mountains Nara and Narayan at Badrinath will
close up on each other and destroy the route to the present
Badrinath. This would also mark the end of the present world
and the beginning of a new one. Lord Badrinath will then appear
at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here instead
of at the present one.
Yogadhyan Badri (1920 m.): Closest to the main temple of Badrinath
lies this tiny, sleepy hamlet which remains unnoticed by most
pilgrims and is the winter home for the idol at Badrinath.
Pandukeshwar is also an important archaeological site. Some
years ago, four ancient metal foils engraved with a description
of several kings in the region were discovered here. Believed
to be over 1500 years old, these foils are kept at Joshimath,
30 km downstream.
Adi Badri: Adi Badri is the farthest from the other four badris.
It is approachable from Karnaprayag by a motorable road enroute
Ranikhet. The temple complex has 16 small temples with intricate
carvings.
Bridha Badri or the 'Old Badri': Bridha Badri or the 'old
Badri' is the third temple about 7 kms short of Joshimath,
on the main Rishikesh-Badrinath motor road at Animath. It
is believed that Badrinath was worshipped here before its
enshrinement by Shankaracharya at the main Badrinath seat.
The temple of Bridha Badri is open throughout the year.
Seven of these temples belong to the late Gupta period. Local
tradition assigns these buildings to Shankaracharya. The main
temple is distinguished by a pyramid shaped raised platform,
with a black stone idol of Vishnu.
