| Char Dham Yatra – Badrinath darshan, Day 60 |


Badrinarayan

Badrinath or the Badrinarayan temple is a Hindu temple situated on the banks of the Alaknanda river, in Chamoli district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is one of the ancient temples dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu and it is counted as one amongst the 4 most sacred abodes described in the Hindu religion. The town settled all around this temple is also called by the same name Badrinath. This temple is open only for 6 months in a year, limited to the ‘end April to beginning of November’ period, because of the harsh winters in the Himalayan region. This pilgrim centre is one amongst the busiest pilgrimage places in all of India. The Badrinarayan form or manifestation of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu is worshipped in this temple. There is an idol of His over here, that is sculpted out of Saligram stone. Adi Shankaracharya had retrieved this idol from the Narad Kund water tank close by and installed it in this temple. Many Hindus believe that this idol is one amongst the 8 self-manifested idols of Lord Vishnu. Even though this temple is situated in North India, the chief priests in this temple called as the ‘Ravals’, hail from the Namboodiri clan of priests of Kerala in South India.

This temple also finds a mention in several ancient texts and scriptures like Vishnu Puran, Mahabharat & Skand Puran. The glory of this temple is described even in the Divine musical composition named Nalayir of the Alwar saints, before the 8th century. The town of Badrinath where this temple is located, is counted not only amongst the 4 main sacred abodes of the Hindu tradition, but also amongst the 4 smaller sacred abodes dedicated to Lord Vishnu, that are all present in the nearby region – Yogdhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri & Vriddh Badri. The group of these 4 together with Adi Badri is known as, “Panch Badri”.

(To be continued …)