Trekking in Himalaya
Undoubtedly the most popular among the 108 sacred holy places of worship for the hindus is badrinath, the temple built to honour the penance of Lord Vishnu under the sacred Badri tree. Thousands of pilgrims visit this holy temple every year and it is one of the ‘dhams’ (homes of the Divine) in the popular char dham yatra.
MYTHOLOGICAL HISTORY & BACKGROUND OF BADRINATH TEMPLE
The exact time of the legitimate foundation of this holy shrine is not recorded and hence unknown. However the main valid wellspring of any such data are the Purans. Skanda Puran gives a record of Adiguru Shankracharya re-cherished the icon of Lord Badrivishal.. Adiguru was moving to a spot called Ashthakhand for reflection. An akashvani said to him "O Shankar, the thing you need to achieve through reflection can be accomplished by you, by revering the idol of Lord Vishnu. This symbol is lying as rest in Narada Kund. Profit of this open door and be honored for having done as such."
In order to comply with these requests sent to him, Adiguru plunged into the Narada kund and recuperated the idol of the revered Lord Vishnu and Sri Badrinathji was built. Adiguru Shankracharya ruminated at Jyotirmath where he accomplished the celestial light jyoti. It is currently generally accepted and grouping of episodes lead to infer that Jyotirmath alone is the Ashtakhand and the celestial light Jyoti accomplished is termed as Akashvani. Sri Badrinath Dham is located on the banks of river Alaknanda. Over this valley, two mountains named Nara and Narayana parvats remain on both sides of Alaknanda and Sri Badrinath temple is on the lap of Narayana Parvat. Alaknanda flows through the yard of Lord Badrinath sanctum.
Authentic confirmations are not accessible as to the age of the temple. The temple of Sri Badrinath ji was a well known hallowed place amidst the Vedic age. The Master is sits here in Padmasan which was likewise a typical type of Bodhisatva in budhist society. There are diverse perspectives on how the idol was lying in the Narada kund. One prevalent view is that with the extension of Buddhism, the sanctuary of Sri Badrinath ji was likewise changed over into a Buddhist sanctuary and the idol was tossed by these Buddhists into Narada kund. However this does not answer the inquiry as to how the ruler is situated in Padmasan pose as opposed to regular Vishnu iconography.
Ruler Ashoka had acclaimed Dham yatras everywhere throughout the world for the spread of budhism. The stone engraving in Kalsi that bears the affirmation to the way that Badrinath ji sanctuary went under Buddhist impact during Ashoka's period is not fully known. The other view is that after the transformation of the sanctuary, the Buddhist in reverence placed the statue of Lord Buddha in the Narad Kund which was later recovered by Adiguru as the idol of Lord Vishnu. This theory confirms the Padmasan pose of the master.
ARCHITECTURE OF SHRI BADRINATH JI TEMPLE
The Badrinath Temple has a little vault on the top, secured with a gold overlaid rooftop and the frontal is made out of stone with angled windows. The sanctuary is enhanced with a few idols, yet the most imperative one is an one meter tall statue of Vishnu as Lord Badrinarayan made of dark Saligram stone sitting under a gold shade. The Badrinath Temple has an awe- inspiring idol of Lord Vishnu that inspires us with divine graceful presence. The temple was constructed in 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya, the acclaimed Hindu reformist.
The Garbha Griha, Darshan Mandap and Sabha Mandap are main points of attraction for the Hindu Devotees. A beautiful warm spring called the ‘Tapt Kund’ is a place where the pilgrims wash themselves before paying their respects to the deity. The water in Tapt Kund has additionally some restorative and recuperating properties that offer several health benefits to individuals.
SIGHT SEEING & EXCURSION:-
Vasudhara Falls:
A short and straightforward trek of around 4 km from Mana Village will take the voyagers to the Vasudhara Falls. Set at a stature of 12,000 feet above ocean level, it is 400 feet high and appears as though the drain is tumbling from the mountain when seen from a separation.
Satopanth Lake :
Satopanth is the spot that leads the path to the Swargarohini crest from where as per the Mahabharata, Yudhishthir and his folks were sent to paradise. Likewise, the lake is accepted to be the point where Bheema was denied entry to paradise. With clean and immaculate water, Satopanth Lake offers amazing views to the visitors. There are no rest houses and towns while in transit to Satopanth, though transitory tents and caverns are available.
Pandukeshwar :
Found 24 kms from Badrinath, Pandukeshwar is accepted to be built up by the father of Pandavas, King Pandu. The spot has two sanctuaries that are hundreds of years old. Out of them, one of the sanctuaries is committed to Lord Yoga Badri Narayan and the other one is devoted to Lord Vasudev. Amid winters, the sanctuary of Lord Vasudev works as a home for Lord Badri Narayan and all the every day rituals and blessed ceremonies are performed in Lord Vasudev's sanctuary.
Joshimath:
It is one of the "Maths" set up by Guru Adi Shankaracharya and works as the home of Shri Badrinath amid winters. All around associated with Auli by link auto, the most elevated link auto of Asia, Joshimath is situated at an elevation of 1,890 mts over the ocean level and 46 kms from Badrinath. The visitors can likewise visit Narsingh and Kalpavriksha sanctuary while flying out to Joshimath.
Auli:
Situated at a height of 3050 mts above ocean level and 60 kms from Badrinath, Auli is a celebrated Paragliding and skiing spot in Uttarakhand. It offers stunning views of the spellbinding snow-shrouded Himalayan mountain range. The spot is connected to Joshimath through Asia's longest link auto. It is also accessible through roads.
Valley of Flowers National Park:
Nestled in the western Himalayas, Valley of Flowers National Park covers a range of around 87.50 sq kms. Found at 16 kms from Govindghat, the valley is secured with layers of white snow amidst winters and sprouting blossoms from June to October. It was reported as a national stop in the year 1982 and recorded among the worlds popular destinations. The valley is a haven for nature lovers, botanists and almost everyone.
Adi Badri:
Situated at a separation of 17 kms from Karnaprayag, Adi Badri is anything but difficult to reach by motorable roads. The principle sanctuary arranged here is devoted to Lord Narayan. Set up by Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the sanctuary has a dark stone hollow statue of Lord Vishnu.
Hemkund Sahib :
Hemkund Sahib is the love spot of Guru Govind Singhji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, who meditated here for a considerable length of time. Arranged at a height of 4,329 mts above ocean level amidst numerous snow secured tops, aggregately known as Hemkund Parvat, it is a star shaped Gurudwara set near the lake. The place is visited by tourists and pilgrims in large numbers. Additionally, there is a sanctuary of Lord Rama's sibling, Lakshman situated here.
Tapovan Hot Water Spring :
Tapovan Hot Water sulfur spring is only 10 kms far from Joshimath. The solid odor of sulfur is available all around the territory. The normal flood from the hot water spring gets collected in a little man-made Kund where visitors take a plunge because of the high therapeutic noteworthiness of the water of the Kund.
Chenab Valley :
Located at 28 kms from Joshimath, Chenab Valley is an unexplored valley loaded with blooms that gets the consideration and enthusiasm of the nature beaus while in transit to Badrinath yatra. The valley is recognized for offering stunning perspectives of the broad glades secured with a wide assortment of blooms.
Tapt-Kund :
Just beneath the Shree Badrinath Ji temple lies the Tapt Kund hot sulfur spring that has a high therapeutic worth. It is a freshwater pool with the washing area of 16.1/2 feet by 14.1/4 feet. Despite the fact that the typical temperature of the spring is 55°c, the temperature of water continues rising during the day. A dip in Tapt Kund is considered to be a cure for skin ailments.
Narad Kund :
Narad Kund is arranged close to Tapt Kund. It is accepted that the Badrinath idol was acquired from this kund. Narad Kund’s boiling hot water spring is situated under the Garur Shila and holds a therapeutic worth. Fans take a plunge in this kund before entering the Badrinath sanctuary for Darshan of Lord Badrinath.
Vyas & Ganesh-Gufa :
Vyas & Ganesh-Gufa cavern is situated in the Mana Village alongside numerous different caverns. It is accepted that in this cavern Ved Vyas directed his acclaimed epic of Mahabharat to Ganesh and accordingly it has been named Vyas Gufa.
Mata-Murti-Mandir:
Found 3 km from Shree Badrinath on the right bank of the Alaknanda River, Mata Murti Mandir is an antiquated sanctuary dedicated to Shri Badrinath's mom. It is one of the top visited spots of the Mana Village. The legend identified with this sanctuary is that Mata Murti worshiped Lord Vishnu and asked for him to be conceived as her child in her next conception. Consenting to this, Lord Vishu originated from her womb as twins, Nar and Narayan, in this world to finish off evils from the society.
BEST TIME TO VISIT :
The Badrinath Temple is open just six months consistently (between the end of April and the start of November), because of suitable whether and climatic conditions in the Himalayan range. The whether is largely unpredictable with intermittent rainfall throughout. Pilgrims and tourist are advised to carry warm clothes and raincoat with them at all times while travelling to Badrinath.
ACCESSIBILITY :