Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri.This is
considered the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttarakhand.
Accoding to Hindu Shastras no pilgrimage is complete without a visit
to Badrinath the abode of Vishnu. Badri is derived from a wild fruit
that Vishnu was said to have lived on when he did penance at
Badrivan the area that covers all five important temples including
Kedarnath. The town situated on the left bank of the Alaknanda is
equidistant from the Twin Mountains of Nara and Narayan Parvatis.
Badrinath is on the itinerary of every devout Hindu. It boasts a
snow-topped Nilkantha. The place is also known as Badri van after
the forest of Badri trees which grow here. 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. The original temple
here is believed to be built by king pururava and the icon of the
lord carved by Vishwakarma the creator of the gods.
The idol was recovered by Adi Shankaracharya from the waters of the
nearby Naradkund and restored in the 19th century by the royal
houses of Scindia and Holkar. The temple remains closed from October
to April due to severe winter conditions. During this period the
idols are taken to Pandukeshwar . Badrinath Badrinath is also known
as Vishal Badri. This is considered the holiest of the four main
shrines of Uttarakhand. According to Hindu Shastras no pilgrimage is
complete without a visit to Badrinath the abode of Vishnu. Badri is
derived from a wild fruit that Vishnu was said to have lived on when
he ded penance at Badrivan the area that covers all five important
temples including Kedarnath. The town situated on the left bank of
the Alaknanda is equidistant from the Twin Mountains of Nara and
Narayan Parvatis.Badrinath is on the itinerary of every devout
Hindu. It boasts a spectacular setting in the shadow of snow-topped
Nilkantha.The place is also known as Badri Van after the forest of
Badri trees which grow here. 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.The original temple here
is believed to be built by King Pururava and the icon of the lord
carved by Vishwakarma the creator of the gods. The idol was
recovered by Adi Shankaracharya from the waters of the nearby
Naradkund and restored in the 19th century by the royal houses of
Scindia and Holkar. The temple remains closed from October to April
due to severe winter conditions. During this period the idols are
taken to Pandukeshwar.
Places of attraction
Badrinath Temple: The main temple is small and brightly painted in
green,blue, pink, yellow, white, silver and red.Guru Shankara
founded the vividly colourful temple in the 8th century. The temple
has been renovated several times due to damages by avalanches. The
present structure is 15 mts. High and has a giled cupola. The Rawal
or chief priest of the temple is a Namboodripad or a Brahmin from
Kerala.Badrinath is snowbound over winter (when the images are
transferred to Pandukeshwar). 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 shrine is usually crowded with worshippers. There is a
hot pool nearby below the temple is known as Tapt Kund. This is fed
by a hot sulphurous spring in which Agni resides by kind permission
of Vishnu. It is customary to bathe in this kund. Surrounding the
temple is a colourful religious market.
Deoprayag: 70 kms from Rishikesh. The confluence of rivers
Alaknanda and Bhagirathi this is an important pilgrim spot with its
famous Shiv and Raghunath temples. Deoprayag tumbles down the
precipitous hillside in the deeply cut ‘V’ between the junction of
the two rivers houses almost on top of one another. Where the river
meets is a bathing ghat artificially made into the shape of India
where piligrims bathe. This is regarded as the most complete.
Showcase of legends heritage and traditions .If one hand Lord Rama
and his father king Dashratha did penance here.On the other some of
the oldest stone inscription in the region can be found here.However
the most celebrated event at Deoprayag is the congregation of
devotees who come here to worship the image of Lord Rama at
Raghunath Temple. The town is an invocation to the gods who have
comes from a Brahmin priest who mediated here for long years asking
for the birth of Vishnu’s incarnation finally granted in the guise
of Ram.
Rudra Prayag: When the Alaknanda and the Mandakini two of the
most beautiful among Himalayan rivers , meet, the confluence is
called Rudra Prayag.The dense forests around this region are full of
wildlife and were once held ransom to a man-eating tiger that was
shot by the famous conservationist hunter Jim Corbett.
Karna Prayag: 169 kms. From Rishikesh the confluence of
Alkananda and pindar rivers where there are temples dedicated to Uma
and Karn.
Nand Prayag: 190 kms. From Rishikesh where the river
Alaknanda meets the river Nandakini. An important pilgrim centre
that has the temple of Gopalji.
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