Badrinath : One of the Scared Shrine among the Four in India

Badrinath is the one of the holiest shrines among the four in india.it is in the supercilious Himalayan heights in the Garhwal (Uttarakhand). It is considered that the revered shrine is still alive there. its state of being holy give special importance in the ancient scriptures as "there are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether world, but there has been none equal to badri.

Badarinath Dham is one of the most sacred places of pilgrimage located The way to Badarinath is one of the most interesting one due to the lofty bumpy terrain, curves and cliffs within the most scenically beautiful place on the earth.

During the way to Badarinath there are many pilgrimage sites at Deo Prayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Vishnuprayag as well as Pandukeswar where king Pandu did Tapasya with his queen Madri and where his sons Pandavas, stayed during their pilgrimage to heaven.

It is believed that at Badarinath Lord MahaVishnu have done his forfeit. As Lord Vishnu was doing his penance in the open, Goddess Mahalaxmi is supposed to undertake the form of Badari tree to offer him shelter to face the offensive of the adverse weather conditions, therefore the name Badari Narayan. It is believed that Lord Vishnu revealed to Narad rishi that Nar & Naryans forms were his own.

Behind the temple of Lord Badarinarayan is the Lakshmi Narsimh mandir, with shrines to Desikacharya and Ramanujachary.At Badarinath one can witness one of the greatest wonders of Nature in the Hot water springs of Taptkund on the banks of ice chilled river Alaknanda. The temperature of the water in the Kund is 55 degree centigrade whereas the normal temperature in this region for most part of the year remains at 9-10 degree centigrade to sub-zero levels. Before visiting the temple the pilgrims take a holy bath in the Taptkund. 

The Temple structure was built by the Kings of Garhwal. The Temple has three sectors - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), the Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badari Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad rishi, Udhava, Nar & Narayan.

Lord Badari Narayan (also called as Badari Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vehicle of Lord Narayan). Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujam. Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.