Badrinath Dham Yatra

The Abode Of Lord Vishnu : – Badrinath Temple situated in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines, Temple Darshan along the left bank river Alaknanda with the view of splendid Neelkanth mountain and visiting Mana Village are the main attractions, Badrinath is an important destination for every devour Hindu. Once the spot was carpeted with ‘badris’ or wild berries and hence was famous as ‘Badri Van’. 

Badrinath is considered the holiest of the four important shrines in Garhwal. The town is at an altitude of 3,133 m. The present temple was built about two centuries ago by Garhwal Kings. There are 15 idols in the temple complex, each sculpted in black stone. The principal idol represents Vishnu in a meditative posture ( Padma Asana – The Lotus Posture) and is flanked by Nara-Narayan. Legend dates it prior to the Vedic age though it is believed to have been re-established by Adi Shankaracharya Ji, an important Hindu saint in 8th century A.D. Some of the other images include Laxmi (Vishnu’s consort), Garud (Vishnu’s mount), Shiva & Parvati and Ganesha.  

The temple has been renovated several times due to damages by avalanches. It looks fairly modern now due to the colourful “Singh Dwara” or the main entrance gate. It has three parts- Garbha Griha (the sanctum sanctorum), Darshan Mandap (for pujas) and Shobha Mandap (for devotees to assemble). The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends from mythology. Its sanctity is emphasized in the ancient scriptures as “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”.

Haridwar – Is the second holiest city after Banaras, Haridwar is the Gateway to Reach at Badrinath and Kedarnath and it char dham yatra starts from Haridwar. Pilgrimage are requested to take the holy Ganga Dip before starting their Badrinath Yatra or char dham yatra.

Mythological Legend : – Badrinath Dham is referred as Badari Vishal or Badarikasram (बद्रीकाश्रम) in Hindu scriptures. It is a place sacred to Vishnu, particularly in Vishnu’s dual form of Nara-Narayana. The Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore the mighty Ganga was split into twelve holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath. 

The mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas are said to have ended their life by ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini – literally, the ‘Ascent to Heaven’. Local legend has it that the Pandavas passed through Badrinath and the town of Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath, on their way to Swargarohini. There is also a cave in Mana where Vyas, according to legend, wrote the Mahabharata.

The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda river, dates back to the Vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts., the present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya- an 8th century’s philosopher-saint, who also established a ‘math’ here. Also known as ‘Vishal Badri’, Badrinath is one of the Panch Badris.