Adi Badri Temple
The Adi Badri temple is pyramid shaped. It is situated in the Badri region and, it is one amongst the 7 Badri temples namely; Badri Vishal or Badrinath, Adi Badri, Vriddh Badri, Dhyan Badri, Ardha Badri, Bhaviya Badri & Yogidan Badri. Adi Guru Shankaracharya was the first to come to this area and since then, it has come to be called as Adi Badri. The pilgrimage centre Karnaprayag too (one of the 5 Prayags), is located close to this sacred place. The Adi Badri temple is primarily a Lord Vishnu temple. A 3 feet tall idol of Lord Vishnu is worshipped here. There is also a 1 meter tall black Saligram stone idol in the temple premises, where Lord Saligram is seen standing in His familar Divine form with 4 arms. This idol is also installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum itself and close to that is a smaller temple dedicated to Lord Garuda – the mount of Lord Vishnu. Besides, there are temples dedicated to other Gods & Goddesses such as Lord Satyanarayan, Maa Lakshmi, Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita, Maa Kali, Lord Shiva, Maa Gauri, Maa Annapurna, Kubera, Lord Shankar & Shri Hanuman, in the same premises.
“Shri Adi Bhadri Dham” is the first and the most ancient amongst the Sapta Badris – the 7 Badris. Lord Badri’s huge doors, like in all other Hindu temples, are closed in winter from November every year and re-open on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. One must have Darshan of Lord Adi Badri, before having the Darshan of Lord Badrinath. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here and He represents the Jal Tatva – the water element. Devotees have Darshan of the 3 feet idol (crafted from an amalgam of 8 metals) kept in the Adi Badri temple and partake of the holy water prepared using Tulsi (Basil) leaves and consecrated by the Lord’s holy feet. Devoteed are redeemed of their sins thus and find a fulfillment of their desired fruits (results).
(To be continued …)