DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Vada Naadu |
Vada Naadu | 5thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Badrikashram/Swayam
Vyaktha Kshetram/ Pancha Badri is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu
located on the river banks of Alakananda in a hill town Badrinath, Uttarakhand.
This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Vishnu built during the 9th century
with the close resemblance of Buddhist Vihara temple. Badrikashram was known in
different names in each Yugas, in Krutha Yuga it was known as Mukthiprada, in
Tretha Yuga it was Yoga Siddhi, in Dwapara Yuga it was Vishala and in Kaliyuga
it is known as Badrikasham/Badrinath. This temple remains open for six months
in an year due to the extreme climatic conditions in the Himalayan regions and
remaining six months the idol of Lord Badri Narayana resides in Joshi Math.
This is one of the Pancha Badri Kshetram located in Badri town - Vishal Badri
and others are Yogadhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Vriddha Badri & Adi Badri
respectively. Badri is the holy land where Lord Narayana represents himself as
Acharya and advices the glories of Ashtakshara Manthra to Maharishi Narada.
The
legend has that Lord Vishnu took incarnation as Nara Narayana and underwent
severe penance on the hill of this scared land. This penance continued for
several years for the welfare of mankind. Lord Indra felt insecure at the
severe austerities of Nara Narayana and sent celestial dancers Ramba &
Menka down to Earth in order to disrupt the penance without knowing the fact
that it was Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu reacted in such a way that he created a
stunning celestial dancer Urvasi from his Uru (theigh) and sent back to Lord
Indra. Lord Indra felt ashamed of his ignorance.
Before
having the darshan of the lord in the morning, a dip at Tapta kund is a must.
Tapta Kund is a hot water spring arriving between the Badrinarayan temple and
the Alaknanda River. It is a natural hot water spring inspite of cold and lots
of snow fallings, this Tapta kund extracts hot water from the underground and
has lot of healing qualities. Its soo cozy to be in tapta kund which is around
40 degree when its minus two outside.
After
taking bath in tapta kund, devotees to climb some steps upwards to worship
Garudalwar. After worshipping him, we can reach the pragaram. The place is
known as ‘Simh Dwaram’ where Garudalwar statue is situated. In front of
Badrinath temple, the Nara and Narayanan mountain are located. Inside the temple,
Lord Sri Badrinarayana in sitting position which is termed as “Padmasana” pose.
On his left is Naran and Narayana and to his right, Kubera with his face
adorned in silver. Narada Maharishi is also there along with them. A Sudharsana
Chakkaram (A power of Wheel in Lord’s right hand) to spiritualise the kshetram.
The Utsavar is Uddhava and in front of him is a small Garudalwar statue. It is
said that a big date tree (Elandhai) is covering the Badrinarayana temple and
it will not be visible to any person in Kali yugha. The tree is said to
symbolize Sri Mahalakshmi and she is protecting Badrinarayana from cold by
covering him.
The
Moolavar Badrinarayana is said to be made of Salagramam. He is along with
Aravindhavalli thaayar, Garuda, Kubera, Naradha, Utthavar, Devarishi and
Narayana. He is in sitting pose and has 4 hands. His left hand holds the Sangu
the Conch and in his right hand hold the Wheel the chakkaram and lifted upwards
and remaining two hands are joined together and found as Yoga mudra and Abhaya
Varadhan.
Thaayar
and her Sannadhi: On the south pragharam of the temple is the sannadhi for
Aravindhavalli thaayar is situated and She is called as “Mahalakshmi”. On the
west side, Aadhi sankara sannadhi and behind the temple, Lakshmi Narasimha
Mandir and Sannadhis for Sri Swami Desikar, Udayavar Ramanujar are located.
On the north side of the temple on the bank of River Ganges, a big rock named
“Brahma Gobalam”; it is believed that if we dedicate Pindam (a ball made of
rice) here for the departed souls known as Pithrus, for the next 14 generations
people are said to go to heaven and Moksha.
Another
legend has that the demon Sahasrakavacha who was having 1000 armors started
harassing sages and deities. He continued his atrocities for several years and
arrived at Badri, he found Nara Narayana undergoing severe penance.
Sahasrakavacha created innumerable impediments to the penance of Nara Narayana.
It enraged Lord Nara Narayana entered in a fierce battle with the demon
Sahasrakavacha and beheaded him. The 1000 armors of the demon transformed into
two hills and remained on both the sides where Lord Nara Narayana underwent
austerities. The Nara Narayana peaks positioned here is also known as Kuber
Bhandar, the treasure chest of Lord Kubera. Alakapuri was the capital of
Kingdom of Lord Kubera, the place where river Alakananda originates.
Describing
the spiritual glories of Badarikashram to Arundathi, Sage Vasishtha says that
only those who have worshipped Him for hundreds of births get to see Lord
Badarinarayana. Whoever, with a pure heart filled with devotion, performs
darshana of the Lord starting from his crown (kirita) and finishing at his feet
(charana) attains moksha in a single birth with no other Japa or Tapa
whatsoever. The very mention of His name under any circumstance is enough to
wipe out all sins. The sins of great sinners that do not get cleansed anywhere,
vanish in a second at Badarikashram. Whoever offers mahaabhishekham (with
pancha dravyas) along with vastras and aabhushanas to the Lord attains Vaikuntha
forever. Even a naivedya offered with a single fist guarantees good fortune.
The parikrama of the Lord is equivalent to a bhoodaana. Even the Devas respect
the spiritual accomplishment of bathing in the Tapta Kund and having darshana
of the Lord while situated in Dhyaana. Each step taken in this state gives the
fruit of an Ashvamedha yagna. He who takes the charanamruta of the Lord becomes
worthy of worship by the Devas themselves.
There
are pancha shilas near Tapta Kunda. Sri Narada Shila is there just opposite to
the Tapta Kunda. Below this (in Alakananda waters at the time we went), there
is Narada Kunda where Sage Narada had done deep penance. Sri Markandeya Shila
is near Tapta Kunda in the Alakananda dhaara. Here Sage Markandeya had done
aaradhana of Lord BadriNarayan. Above Narada kund, in waters, there is a shila
in the shape of Lion, which is Sri Narasimha Shila. After killing
Hiranyakashipu Lord Narasimha bhagwan had come here. One can clearly see Sri
Varaha Shila in Alakananda waters. After killing demon Hiranyaksha, and having
saved Prithvi, Lord Varaha Bhagwan stayed at Badrikashram in shila roop here.
In the Alakananda there is Prahlada kund, Karmadhara and Lakshmidhaara tirth.
After following small stairs towards the temple, one finds Kedareshwar temple
near Sri Garuda Shila. The water flows into Tapta Kunda from below Garuda
Shila. After paying worship we went to AdiGuru Shakaracharya sannidhi. One can
purchase flower garlands, vana Tulsi maala and prasad items before entering the
temple.
Thiruppirudhi(Joshi mutt) is just on the foot hills of Badrinath. Its from here, the actual altitude of the hills rises steeply and the temperature drops drastically. Until this point there is not need for sweaters or warm clothing during summer season, but from this point until Badri which is approx 2 hours journey gets a bit colder around 5 to 6 degrees during evenings in summer and around 0 degrees to minus 3 to 4 degrees during nights.
Thiruppirudhi
which is otherwise called as Joshi mutt explains that it has a close relation
between the Lord Emperumaan and His devotees. In winter season, when
Badrikashramam sthalam is closed, the Badrinath utsavar is took from Badrinath
and kept in here and gives his seva as Badri Narayanan for his bhaktas for six
months. Only, Thirumangai alwar has done the Mangalasasanam on his perumal.
Among his 10 Paasurams, in 3 Paasurams he compares the perumal as 3 avathaars
(ie) as Rama, Krishna and Narasimha avathaar of Sri Vishnu. Sri Aadhi Sankarar
has constructed a temple here for Sri Narasimha and standing posture Sri
Vasudeva.
Moolavar: The Moolavar of this sthalam is Paramapurushan. He is in sleeping
posture (Kidantha kolam) in Bujangha sayanam facing east. Prathyaksham for
Parvathi devi.
Thaayar:
The Thaayar of Thiruppirudhi sthalam is Parimalavalli Naachiyaar. Lord
Badrinarayan, the presiding deity of the temple is armed with Shankh(Coch) and
Chakra in two arms in the lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in
Yogamudra. The principal image is of made up of Black Salagram and it
represents Lord Vishu seated in meditative pose. On the left side of the main
deity Goddess Lakshmi, Nara and Narayan are situated and on the right side of
the Badrinarayan, Kubera, are seated.
The idol of Narada Maharshi is located opposite to the main deity and beside it
the silver idol of Garuda is situated here.
The
temple was built on "SUDHARSHAN CHAKRAM" and therefore the temple
always glows with spiritual power. Holy Deepam is enlighten in the Garbha Griha
through out the year. In the temple the daily puja's, naivedyam and rituals are
being offered to the lord by the priests belong to the caste of Nambrudri of
Kerala State.
Tapt
Kund or Surya Kund. The famous hot springs are located just below the temple
Next
to Vishnu Prayag is a place called Hanuman Ghat where Lord Hanuman and Bheema
met each other. Once, Bheema thought he was the strong person in the world and
was traveling along this side. At that time, Hanuman laid there as an old
monkey. Bheema say an old monkey lying before him in the path and shouted at
the monkey to give way for him. But, the old monkey (Hanuman) told that since
he is so weak, he unable to move and requested that if Bheema could move the
tail, he can move it and go along with his way. Bheema, not knowing that the
Monkey is none other than the so powerful Hanuman, thought he can move the tail
with his one hand, but he could not do so. Using his full strength, he tried,
but he could not even move the tail for an inch. Finally, he thought, the old
monkey might be some Demon known as Arakkan (or) Magician. But finally,
Anjaneya revealed his original posture (Roopam) and explains him that they are
brothers (since both them are sons of Lord Air known as Vaayu). Bheema fell to
the feet of Sri Anjaneya and asked that he should be along with them during the
war against the Gauravas (Duriyodhanan and his troop). Sri Anjaneya told that
he will be along with them in the flag which is on top of the Chariot of
Arjuna.
Since,
Naran and Narayanan came to this sthalam, two mountains on the names of them
are found. The Nara Parvatham (mountain) is on the Eastern bank of Alknanda
river and Narayana parvatham on the west bank of Alknanda river. These two
mountains are almost covered by snow, in all times.
Nara Parvatham is also called as Kubera Bhandar since lots of precious gems and
diamonds are found on its glaciers. Once, there lived an arakkan (demon) by
name "Sahasrakavacha", who gave lots of trouble for the Rishis and
yogis. All of them prayed towards the perumal to save them out from the Demon.
At that time, both Naran and Narayanan did tapas towards the perumal. On
hearing that these two persons were doing severe tapas towards the Emperumaan,
Sahasrakavachan rushed towards them to kill them. Both, Naran and Narayanan
fought strongly with the demon and finally killed him. Thus, they permanently
stayed in Badrinath to save all the Rishis and Yogis from all the demons.
About 5 miles away from Badrinath, is a place known as "Dharma
Shila". It is believed that in this place, Dharma Rajan and his wife Kala
did tapas towards the Lord Sri MahaVishnu. As a boon from the Lord, Dharma Raja
and his wife asked that the Lord should also be along with them and that's the
reason why Dharma shila is found near Badrinath.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Badrinarayanan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Aravindavalli Nachiyar |
|
Theertham |
Taptha Kund Theertham, Surya Kund Theertham |
Lord grants all the
wishes.
The
temple is closed for winter on the auspicious day of bhatridwityia or later during
October–November. On the day of closure, Akhanda Jyothi, a lamp is
lit filled with ghee to last for six
months. Special pujas are performed on the day by the chief
priest in the presence of pilgrims and officials of the temple. The image
of Badrinath is notionally transferred during the period to the Narasimha
temple at Jyotirmath, located 40 mi (64 km) away from the
temple.[36] The
temple is reopened around April–May on Akshaya
tritiya, another auspicious day on the Hindu calendar. Pilgrims
gather on the first day of opening of the temple after the winter to witness
the Akhanda Jyothi.
HOW
TO REACH:
By
Air:
The
nearest Domestic Airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, nearly five hours
journey from Badrinath by road. 2) The second nearest International Airport is
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi which is located at a distance 540
Kms away from Badrinath.
By
Road:
Badrinath
is 1)21 Kms from Nanda Devi, 2)45 Kms from Joshimath, 3)100 Kms from Gopeshwar,
4)104 Kms from Nandaprayag, 5)152 Kms from Rudraprayag, 6)187 Kms from
Srinagar, 7)293 Kms from Rishikesh, 8)313 Kms from Haridwar and 9)521 Kms from
New Delhi. Being located on National Highway 58, it is well connected with
Delhi and also with Mana Pass in the state.
By
Rail:
The
nearest railway stations are 1)Rishikesh (at 297 km), 2) Kotdwara (at 327 km)
and 3) Haridwar railway junction, 24 km farther from Rishikesh, has train
connections to most of the major cities in India
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Shri Badarinath
Kedarnath Temple,
Kargi Grant, Haridwar By-pass road,
Dehradun,
Uttaranchal(Uttarakhand)-248001.
LOCATION:
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