Badrinath Yatra

 

Situated in the lap of Nar-Narayan Parvat, with the towering Neelkanth peak (6,597mts.) in the background, Badrinath is one of the most revered Hindu shrines of India. On the right bank of Alaknanda lies the sacred spot perched at an altitude of 3,133 meters above the sea level. Encircled by a beautiful valley, the 15 mts. high temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The temple divided into three parts - the 'garbha griba' 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 meter high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The main entrance gate is colorful & imposing popularly known as Singhdwar. It is believed that to revive the lost prestige of Hinduism and to unite the country in one bond, Adi Guru Sri Shankaracharya the philosopher-saint of the 8th century built four pilgrimage centres in four corners of India.

The main deity in Badrinath Dham is a meditating Lord Vishnu. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to this area(" Badri Van") to meditate, after Narad rebuked the Lord for being immersed in worldly pleasures.

According to legend Shankara discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple.

The temple has undergone several major renovations because of age and damage by avalanche. In the 17th century, the temple was expanded by the kings of Garhwal. After significant damage in the great 1803 Himalayan earthquake, it was rebuilt by the King of Jaipur.


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