Badrinath
Badrinath, the tapasthali of Maha Vishnu, lies in between the two mountains of Nar and Narayan, on the banks
of Alaknanda river. The peak of Mount Neelkanth rises on the eastern side. The Skanda Purana states that the
holy town of Badrinath is holier than all shrines that exist in heaven and hell. Maha Vishnu performed
severe penance here. Mahalakshmi decided to be near him and took the form of a Badri tree. It is believed
that there was a forest of Badri trees around this place – hence the name Badrikaranya /
Badrika Ashram The idol of Badrinath was excavated, consecrated and worshipped by Adi Shankaracharya. The rituals defined
by him are being practised at Badrinath till today.
The garbha griha has Lord Badrinath seated in padmasana . When I visited Badrinath in 2018 in August, the weather was rainy and due to landslides there were very few people visiting the town and the temple. I had the opportunity to sit right outside the garbha griha and recite the Vishnu sahsranaam, almost everyday. The pujari’s would say, ‘Prabhu ko Vishnu sahsranaam sunaiye’ and with a heart full of joy, I would begin my recitation.
Facing the temple on the banks of Alaknanda river is a hot water spring known as ‘Tapt Kund’, it is said that the tapa of Mahavishnu is the very essence of this kunda. Taking a bath here, is said to relieve one of doshas while giving strength to the sthoola and sukshma sharir.
The last village is Mana and from here starts the trek to the Swargarohini glacier and the Satopanth lake. Swargarohini glacier or the stairway to heaven. As written in the Mahaprasthanika Parva of Mahabharata, after the battle of Kurukshetra and a long, successful reign, the Pandavas and Darupadi embraced sanyas and decided to ascend this stairway. The Parv mentions that the Swargarohini glacier is the only way to reach heaven in the mortal frame or the human body.
On the way to Badrinath is Jyotir matha, one of the four cardinal seats of Shankracharya, the others being those at Sringeri, Puri and Dwarka. According to the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, this matha is in charge of the Atharvaveda. Lord Narasimha, consecrated by Adi Shankara, is the chief deity here.
The garbha griha has Lord Badrinath seated in padmasana . When I visited Badrinath in 2018 in August, the weather was rainy and due to landslides there were very few people visiting the town and the temple. I had the opportunity to sit right outside the garbha griha and recite the Vishnu sahsranaam, almost everyday. The pujari’s would say, ‘Prabhu ko Vishnu sahsranaam sunaiye’ and with a heart full of joy, I would begin my recitation.
Facing the temple on the banks of Alaknanda river is a hot water spring known as ‘Tapt Kund’, it is said that the tapa of Mahavishnu is the very essence of this kunda. Taking a bath here, is said to relieve one of doshas while giving strength to the sthoola and sukshma sharir.
The last village is Mana and from here starts the trek to the Swargarohini glacier and the Satopanth lake. Swargarohini glacier or the stairway to heaven. As written in the Mahaprasthanika Parva of Mahabharata, after the battle of Kurukshetra and a long, successful reign, the Pandavas and Darupadi embraced sanyas and decided to ascend this stairway. The Parv mentions that the Swargarohini glacier is the only way to reach heaven in the mortal frame or the human body.
On the way to Badrinath is Jyotir matha, one of the four cardinal seats of Shankracharya, the others being those at Sringeri, Puri and Dwarka. According to the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, this matha is in charge of the Atharvaveda. Lord Narasimha, consecrated by Adi Shankara, is the chief deity here.