Badrinath Temple

About Badrinath Temple

Guarded by the soaring Himalayan peaks of Nar, Narayan and Neelkanth and washed by the pious waters of River Alaknanda, Badrinath Temple is situated around 10,279 ft. above sea level.

Inside the temple, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Badrinarayan who is believed to meditate here since time immemorial and till eternity.

The black stone idol of the lord, believed to be made of the sacred stone shaligram, was discovered in the River Alaknanda by Saint Adi Shankara in the 18^th century.

In fact, the stone idol is considered to be one among the eight swayam vyakta kshetras (Self-manifested statue) of Lord Vishnu.

While the saint erected the idol in a cave nearby, the present day temple was built in the 16^th century by the local kings.

Apart from being a part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, it is also a part of the major Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage circuit and one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy Vishnu shrines).

It is believed that it is second Vaikuntha (abode) of Lord Vishnu, the first one being the celestial Vaikuntha. It is also considered to be the place to attain salvation as one can find the lord in his true form here.

Interesting Facts About Badrinath & Badrinath Temple

In the month of September, each year, Mata Murti Ka Mela is celebrated. It is believed that on this day River Ganga had descended on Earth.
In the month of June, Badri-Kedar Festival is celebrated which showcases the cultural aspects of Uttrakhand state.
On the eighth day of the month of Shravana, Shri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with lots of fanfare in Badrinath Temple.
The head priest of Badrinath Temple is called as Rawal who is a Brahmin of Namboodiri caste from Kerala.
Badrinath Temple finds mention in the ancient Hindu religious scriptures such as Skanda Purana and Vishnu Purana.
The Garbhagriha or the main sanctum sanctorum of the Badrinath Temple houses the idols of Lord Badrinath in Yoga Mudra(Padmasana Posture). Other idols are those of Kubera, Narada, Garuda, Uddhava, Nar and Narayan.
There is a sulphur spring famously known as Tapt Kund and it is customary for the devotees to bathe at Tapt Kund before visiting the Badrinath Temple for Darshan.
It is now possible to book Badrinath Yatra By Helicopter with options to return back to Dehradun on the same day as well as to stay overnight at Badrinath. Call 8527255991 for more details.