BADRINATH DHAM-
Badrinath Dham, located in the state of Uttarakhand, is supposed to be the ultimate shrine for the Hindus. The importance of this religious place has been described in the Shrimad Bhagwat and several other religious books.This temple is also included among the Char Dham (the most important four shrine, the abode of God) located in the four corners of India.Badrinath temple is approximately 24 km before the Indo-Tibetan border and is about 10,250 ft.above the sea level along the sacred Alaknanda river. Lakhs of devotees visit this shrine every year.The present temple structure is the contribution of kings of Garhwal to this shrine.
The traditional Yatra to Badrinath Dham, which is a journey of 324 kms, starts from Haridwar and passes through several important religious places like Dev Prayag, Rudraprayag. The temple is picturesque and painted with vibrant colours. The temple is about 50 ft high and the three parts of the temple are known as Garbh Grih,,Darshan Mandap and Sabha Mandap. In the main sanctum, the idol of Lord Visnu as Badrinath, the presiding deity, is in black colour stone.The sanctum also houses the idols of Godess Lakshmiji ,Nar- Narayan , the idols of Ganeshji , Kuber and Uddhav and some other deities. Uddhav has been the great friend of Lord Krishna during Dwapar period.It is believed that Narad and Garud have mediated thousands of years and prayed Lord Badrinath at this place. The Narad Shila and Garud Shila ,the two rocks established near the temple, symbolises their great devotion to Lord Vishnu. This court of Lord Badrinath is known as Badri Panchayat in which Lord Badrinath sits in Padmasan. Traditionally, since the time of Adi Shankaracharya, the head priest of this shrine has been a Namboodari Brahmin from south India and is known as Raval. The Raval is the only priest, who can touch the idol of Lord Badrinath but he himself has to take bath every time, he touches the sacred idol The Raval, during the performance of religious duties and rituals , is assisted by the local Dimeri Brahmins. These local Brahmins are from Dimeri village near Karn Prayag. The temple opens in the month of May and closes in the month of October every year.It is said that during winter ,when the temple remains inaccessible,Naradji himself performs all the religious rituals in this temple. It is believed that when Adi shankaracharya visited this holy place,he prayed and humbly requested Lord Badrinath to provide his darshan during the kaliyug period so that devotees can attain Moksha even in Kaliyug. Lord Badrinath granted his wish and when Adi Shankaracharya took a dip in the Narad Kund,he recovered tho sacred idol of Lord Badrinath .
It is believed that Lord Vishnu himself mediated here for a very long time and during this period Goddess Lakshmi stood next to her and sheltered him. There is also a "Tapta-Kund" or hot water spring near the temple which may be the miracle of nature or the blessings of God in such harsh cold environment. Some religious devotees prefer to take bath in this pond, before visiting the temple.
The other places of religious significance near Badrinath temple are Adi Kedar Nath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vyas Gupha(Cave having an idol of Shri Ved Vyas) and Bhimpul (a natural rock bridge made be Bhim) over the Saraswati river . Brahm Kapal Tirtha near the origin of Saraswati river is the place where people perform Shradh for the peace of their ancestors.
Devotees are advised to carry woollen cloths with them because of the cold prevailing at this height.While travelling in Monsoon,visitors are supposed to be cautious about heavy rains and landslides in this route.Their are several hotels and Dharmshallas to accommodate the visiting devotees. Some tourists may like to visit Mana village,which is the last village near the Indo-Tibetan border.
The temple situated at Badrinath Dham is also known as Shri Badri Vishal temple, which is the main temple of Lord Badrinath. The other temples of Lord Badrinath in Uttarakhand are Shri Adi Badri ,about 18 kms from Karn Prayag, Shri Bhavishya Badri,about 17 kms from Joshi Math, Shri Vridh Badri on Peepal koti -Joshi Math Marg and Shri Yog Badri,near Pandukeshwar.All the five temples together is known as 'Panch Badri".
According to local belief Bhavishya Badri is the future sacred seat of Lord Badrinath. Certain Hindu scriptures contain references, that at one point of time in future, Badri Vishal temple will become inaccessible. It is believed that when the arm of the sacred idol of Shri Narsingha at Joshimath falls off and the mountains of Jai and Vijai near Visnu Prayag collapse, it will not be possible to reach the present shrine at Badrinath Dham and there after the worship of Lord Badrinath will begin at this sacred place.
