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| || The Past || Yatra || Don't Miss || Festivals || Getting There || |
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Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and
Narayan is the holiest of the four main pilgrimage shrines (Char
Dham). Badrinath, along the left bank of river
Alaknanda, has the colossal Neelkanth Mountains as the backdrop.
The spot was once covered with 'badris' or wild berries and
hence was famous as 'Badri Van' or ‘Forest of Berries’.
The shrine of Badrinath is dedicated to Vishnu, with the main
idol representing him in a meditative posture. In fact the sanctity
of this site is established in the ancient scriptures, as "There
are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth
and the
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other world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall
there be". Badrinath is also known as Tapobhumi (Land of
Meditation and Penance) and Bhubaikunth (Heaven on Earth). |
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Badrinath
was the abode of Lord Vishnu. These mountains were where Lord
Shiva lived before Vishnu arrived for penance and decided to
stay. He disguised himself as a beautiful child and began wailing.
The child's screams disturbed Shiva who then left for Kedarnath.
Shiva's effects, however, continue to linger in the region,
especially in its name Badri. At an altitude of 10,279 ft, Sri Adi Shankaracharya founded the Badrinath shrine in the 9th century in an endeavor to spread Vaishnavite philosophy in all corners of the country.  |
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The
Badrinath Yatra (religious pilgrimage) commences from Rishikesh
via Rudra Prayag, where the road is a single way route, passing
through steep mountainous ranges with the meandering River Alaknanda
on one side. The travel time usually depends on weather conditions.
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On
the right bank of Alaknanda lies the sacred Badrinath
Temple at an altitude of 3,133 metres above sea level.
Encircled by a beautiful valley, this high temple is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. It is built in the form of a cone with a small
gilded cupola. Built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya - the philosopher
- saint of the 8th century, the temple has been refurbished
several times due to damage by avalanches. Its colorful 'Singh
Dwara' or the main entrance gate renders it a new, modern look. |
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The temple is divided
into three parts - the garbha
griha 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, delicately sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose. Before entering the temple, devotees take a holy dip in the Tapt Kund (a natural thermal hot spring) on the banks of the river Alaknanda. The water of the kund is believed to have medicinal properties. Other natural springs in the area include Surya Kund and Narad Kund. Neelkanth, popularly known as ‘Garhwal Queen’, is a pyramidal-shaped snowy peak towering above Badrinath. Mata Murti Temple is located on the right bank of Alaknanda and is dedicated to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. There is also the Vyas Gufa (Vyas Cave), a rock cave of saint Ved Vyas. |
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The
Badri-Kedar festival, held at the sacred shrines of Badrinath
and Kedarnath in the month of June is an attempt to bring together
some of the finest artists of the country who perform in the
praise of the Almighty.
On the day of Mata Murti Ka Mela in the month of September,
the mother of Shri Badrinathji is worshipped, and a large
fair held at the Badrinath Temple. According to Hindu mythology,
when the Ganga River descended on earth, she diversified into
twelve channels. The place where the River flowed became the
abode of Lord Vishnu, the holy land of Badrinath.
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Jolly Grant (317 kms.) is the nearest airport. |
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Rishikesh (300 kms.), Kotdwar (327 kms.) are the closest railheads. |
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Badrinath
is well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, Kotdwar
and other hill stations of the Garhwal and Kumaon region. |
