JOURNEY TO BADRINATH TEMPLE (SWAYAM VYAKTA KSHETRA)

Jai Badri Vishal Ki!

The road to Badrinath from Joshimath twists and turns through the lofty hills. The Alakananda gushes in the gorge below from Alakaapuri. We finally reached Badrikashram. The spiritual vibrations cannot fail to be felt at this place. Countless sages and seers have done penance at this place. It is a land for spiritual seekers. 

Badrinath Temple

Badrikashram / Tapobhumi / Sadhanabhoomi Temple is situated on the banks of Alaknanda River (Ganga), in the hill town of Badrinath at an elevation 3,133 m (10,279 ft), deep in the Himalayas. The temple is situated on Narayana parvat on Urvasi peeta with pancha shilas. The town lies between the Nara and Narayana mountain ranges in the shadow of the Nilkantha peak (6,560m). The temple is dedicated to Lord MahaVishnu.

Nilkantha peak with Urvashi falls

The temple is the highest degree of supreme faith and dedication to God. Worshipping at this shrine is a means of liberating the soul from the bound of transmigration. Hence, this place is also referred as “Mukthidham” which gives liberation. It is one of very important 108 divya kshetrams for SriVaishnavites to visit and also is one of the Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) sites, comprising Rameshwaram, Badrinath, Puri and Dwarka. It is a place every Hindu aspires to visit once in his/her lifetime.

It is one among the eight Swayam Vyakta kshetras where Lord MahaVishnu himself manifested -- Swayambhu (sloka by Swami Ramanuja):

श्रीरङ्गं वेन्कटाद्रिश्च श्रीमुष्णं तोटपर्वतं |

सालग्रामं  पुष्करंच नरनारायणाश्रमं || नैमिषं चेति मे स्थानान्यसौ मुक्ति प्रधानिवै | 

येतुस्वष्टाक्षरैकाकः वर्णमूर्तिः वसाम्यहं ||

तिष्ठामि कृष्ण क्षेत्रे पुण्य सप्तको गाताः | अष्टाक्षरस्य मन्त्रस्य सर्वाक्षर मया सदा ||

This is the place where Lord Narayana preached Ashtakshara moola mantra ("Om Namo Narayanaaya") to Nara. This consist of three words, Pranava ('Aa' denotes MahaVishnu, 'Uu' denotes Goddess MahaLakshmi and 'Mm' denotes the soul of Jivatma.), Namaha and Narayanaya. 

नारायण अष्टाक्षर ध्यान श्लोक:

उद्यद् भास्वत् समाभास: चिदानंदैकदेहवान् । चक्रशंखगदापद्मधरो ध्येयो.हमीश्वर:

लक्ष्मीधराभ्यामाश्लिष्ट: स्वमूर्तिगणमध्यग: । ब्रह्मवायुशिवाहीशविपै: शक्रादिकैरपि

सेव्यमानो.धिकं भक्त्या नित्य  नि:शेषशक्तिमान् ।। मूर्तयो.ष्टावपि ध्यॆयाश्चक्रशंखवराभयै:

युक्ता: प्रदीपवर्णाश्च सर्वाभरणभूषिता: । मूलरूपसवर्णानि कृष्णवर्णा शिखोच्यते ॥

नमस्ते मन्त्रराजाय नमस्ते अष्टाक्षरात्मने | 
नमस्ते चेतनाधार परब्रम्हाभिधायिने ||

 स्वयं पादं प्रसार्य  श्रितदुरितरहं दक्षिणं कुन्चयित्वा |

जानुन्याधायसव्येतरमितरभुजं नागभोगे निधाय ||

 पश्चाबाहुद्वयेन प्रतिभटशमने धारयन्  शङ्ख चक्रे |

देवी भूषादि जुष्टोजनयतु जगतां शर्मवैकुन्ठ नाथः ||

नारायण अष्टाक्षर मन्त्रजप फल:-
किं तस्य बहुभिर्मन्त्रै: किं तस्य बहुभिर्व्रतै: |
नमो नारायणायेति मन्त्र: सर्वार्थसाधक:||

Who ever does NarayaNaaSharakshara mantra japa, need not chant any other mantras, as all the phalas, which can be derived from the other mantras can be benefitted from this mantra itself.

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.

Alakananda River

Tapta Kunda

One will have to take holy dip in Tapta kunda (hot sulphur springs) just below the temple before entering the temple. The Tapt Kund hot sulphur springs just below the temple are considered to have medicinal effects. Dip in Tapta Kunda  instigates Bhakthi. It cleanses our Manas and gives us Satvic gunas. The temperature of water is around 55 degree centigrade. 

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.

Narada Shila

Garuda Shila

Kedareshwar Temple

Adiguru Shankaracharya

The beautiful Badrinath temple is approximately 50ft tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gilted roof. The facade is built of stone, with arched windows. A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The main entrance is called Singhdwar. There is a big bell hanging at Singhdwar. Singhdwar also has carvings of the Dasavataras.

As soon as one enters Singhdwar, one can find the idol of Garuda facing towards the Lord. Garuda did penance here in praise of Lord Vishnu for many years. If we take a left turn one can find Hanuman carrying Sanjeevani Parvat facing south direction. The dakshini murti idol of Hanuman is very rare and grants devotees all round good luck after visiting Badrinath Temple. Next one can find idol of Ganesha. When Kapaat gets opened first pratam pooja is offered to Lord Ganesha. After Rasoi Ghar one can find  idol of Goddess MahaLakshmi. 

Goddess MahaLakshmi as Aravindavalli Thayaar is in a separate garbhagriham in the temple premesis. One will have to take her blessings before entering into the main dwar of Badrinath. One can offer the goddess MahaLakshmi Red color Silk saree (6 yards) the previous night and the Sindoor items, which they drape it to Goddess in the morning. Next to goddess Mahalakshmi sannidhi Utsava murti of BadriNarayana is present. One can sit there and chant Vishnu Sahasranaama and Mantras. Next to it is a place where devotees do bhajans. Opposite to it one can see Kamadhenu cow and Dharamshila. Devotees perform Goudaan at Dharamshila which is situated at the south part of Garbh Graha in Badrinath Temple. Puja of Kamadhenu Cow is performed here. One has to perform Gaudaan to cross Viraja River after getting liberated. After worshipping her while performing pradakshina, we came across the Ghantakarna sannidhi.

Gantakarna being a staunch devotee of Shiva, hanged bells in his ears and kept ringing them to avoid hearing of name of Lord Vishnu. But when he did prayed Lord Shiva to give him liberation, Shiva advised him to pray to Lord BadriNarayan as He alone can give moksha and also asked him to get rid of hatred. Shiva advised him to go to Dwaraka and meet Lord Sri Krishna. But on reaching Dwaraka, he learnt that Krishna has gone to Badrikasramam and hence he went there and offered prayers. Pleased with his single minded devotion, Krishna granted the boon that Ghantakarna could reside there as “Kshetra paala.” The Gantakarna here is not wearing bells. There is a separate temple dedicated to Ghantakarna in Mana village. It is their adhishthatru devata.

There is a separate shrine for Srivaishnavite acharyars. In the sannidhi, there are vigrahams of Manavala maamuni (seen in the center) and Arjuna. To the right of Manavala maamuni, Sri Ramanujar is seen. 

After this one can find a yagna kundam where Yagya for the Lord Badrinath is performed. We performed various yagnas the next day. After crossing this, we enter into the Sabha mantap where pradakshina is performed. Vimanam dedicated to this place is Tapta Kanchana Vimanam and Theertham being Tapta kund, Narad kund. Pratyaksha darshan was given to Garuda, Kubera, Narada, Uddhavar and Nara Narayana.

The main shrine area houses the black Shaligrama shila of Lord Badrinarayan installed on Bhairvi Chakra, sitting under a gold canopy in meditative posture (padmasana), immersed in his own atmic bliss under a Badri Tree. Lord Badri Narayan is armed with Shankh and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra. When Lord Narayana sat in meditative posture in midst of Badri bushes for hundreds of years, beloved MahaLakshmi stood next to him sheltering him from scorching sunlight turned into a Badri herself called “Badri Vishal” and her Lord (Nath) became the Badrinath. One can see the carvings of Badri tree on the golden Mandap on which Lord Narayana resides.

Lord BadriNarayan [Source: shiridikesaibabaji.blogspot.com]

I felt as though a great, burning desire of my heart was satisfied after a long time. When I saw Lord Badrinath,    a sense of delight filled my heart so fully that I felt like skipping and dancing around, as if some unheard of joy had come to me. As I was gazing at God and remembering his splendor, tears of delight ran down my cheeks. Out of happiness and impulsively, I put my hands together and lifted my eyes to the Lord and thanked Him for having brought me to Him. He was more beautiful than I ever thought. I was so overflowing with joy and thankfullness that I could not find words to thank Him enough. I just sat still for few minutes in astonishment and speechlessness.

One can have Nirmalya darshanam of the Lord during Maha abhishekam at 4:00am and at night after Shayana Aarti. Waters from Narad kund and Alakananda are brought for abhishekam of Lord. Abhishek is done with Milk, Chandan, Curd, Kesar etc which is later given as Charanamrit. Once the abhishekam is performed with vedic hymns, Lord and other deities are first adorned with chandan, white cloth, then a silken cloth with nice handwork on it. Then, a diamond namam is placed on God’s forehead. Navaratna necklace, and pearl necklace are put in addition to long pearl earrings. Then malas of flowers and Tulsi are used for decoration. Lord is decked with ornaments and haara’s brought by sanyasis (either 1008 tulsi beads mala or mala made from berry fruits). And then Sankha and Chakra are placed followed by a Golden crown with precious stones. Then, feathers of a peacock are placed around. After decorations, it looked as though a small Krishna is sitting in front after all alankaras.

We were able to attend Mahabhishekam early in the morning. In addition, in the evening, we attended the Swarna Aarti, Vishnushasranama Path, Karpoora Aarati and Shayanaarati. The Aarti is as follows:

पवन मन्द सुगन्ध शीतल, हेम मन्दिर शोभितं |

निकट गङ्गा बहत निर्मल, श्री बद्रीनाथ विश्वम्बरम् ||

शेष सुमिरन करत निरदिन, धरत ध्यान महेश्वरम् |

वेद ब्रह्म करत स्तुति, श्री बद्रीनाथ विश्वम्बरम् ||

शक्ति गौरी गणेश शारद, नारद मुनि उच्चारणं |

योग ध्यान अपार लीला, श्री बद्रीनाथ विश्वम्बरम् ||

इन्द्र चन्द्र कुबेर दिनकर, धूप दीप प्रकाशितं |

सिद्ध मुनिजन करत जय जय, श्री बद्रीनाथ विश्वम्बरम् ||

यक्ष किन्नर करत कौतुक, ज्ञान गन्धर्व प्रकाशितं |

श्री लक्ष्मी कमला चन्वर ढोले, श्री बद्रीनाथ विश्वम्बरम् ||

श्री बद्रीनाथ की पढत स्तुति, होत पाप विनाशनं |

कोटि तीर्थ भयो पुण्य, प्राप्त मह फलदायकं ||

Lord Narayana took his avatar at this place to teach the world about penance along with Nara. The Lord here contemplates on Himself. He is seen as an Acharya (teacher) teaching how to do penance. It is here Lord Narayana expounded the Ashtakshara Tirumantram to Nara. 

Adiguru Sankaracharya installed the idol after retrieving it from Tapta kund. The inner sanctoram also has idols of Narada Maharshi, Uddhava and Nara and Narayana to left, Vinayaka, Garuda and Kuber (He rules Alakapuri, and is God of wealth). Near Narayana murthi one can find Sridevi and Bhoodevi and near janga part Urvasi. Lord Narayana is in padmasana. Nara is standing on one leg with the other leg folded as in padmasana. He folds in hands in worship to Narayana and has a bow. Lord Krishna's sandals which were given to Uddhava are also kept near Uddhava (in front of Badari Narayana) for people to worship. The garbha gruha also has the Sudashana chakra of Lord Badari Narayana (in the form of a yantra). 

Towards the end of the Dvaapara yuga, as Sri Krishna was about to leave Dvaaraka for Prabhaasa, Uddhava met Him and sought His guidance. Sri Krishna ordered him to go to Badarikaashrama, saying that it was His ashram. He instructs  Uddhava to stay sacred by partaking of and bathing in the Ganga, which washes His lotus feet. The darshana of the Alakanandaa alone washes away all sins. Sri Krishna tells Uddhava to live in Badarikaashrama like an ascetic, eating forest fruits and roots, stay free from attachment to all creature comforts and permanently dwell on Him in meditation. He tells Uddhava to be indifferent to heat, cold, happiness, sorrow and constantly practise the Bhaagavata Dharma while dwelling on His sermon (the Uddhava Gita). This, He assures, will enable Uddhava to transcend the three gunas and attain Him. Uddhava washed the feet of the Lord with tears of affection. He did not want to move away from His lotus feet, but that was His order. It was with great difficulty that Uddhava left Sri Krishna's physical presence. He took the Lord's sandals (charanapaadukas) on his head and started walking. Dwelling on Sri Krishna, Uddhava reached Badarikaashrama, where he established the charanapaadukas of the Lord. As per Sri Krishna's instructions, he lived a life of penance at Badarikaashrama.

Alakananda originates from Alakapuri to the right. There are fifteen more murtis around the temple garbhagriham that are also worshipped. These include murtis of Nara & Narayana, Narasimha, Lakshmi, Narada, Ganesha, Hanuman, Uddhava, Kubera, Garuda and Navadurga. 

Tirumangai Azhwar has done mangalasaasanam at this place (968-987).

முற்றமூத்துக் கோல்துணையா முன்னடிநோக்கிவளைந்து

இற்றகால்போல் தள்ளி மெள்ள இருந்தங்கிளையாமுன்,

பெற்றதாய்போல்வந்த பேய்ச்சி பெருமுலையூடு உயிரை

வற்றவாங்கியுண்ட வாயான் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (968)

முதுகுபற்றிக்கைத்த லத்தால் முன்னொருகோலூன்றி,

விதிர்விதிர்த்துக்கண் சுழன்று மேற்கிளைகொண்டிருமி,

இதுவென்னப்பர் மூத்தவா றென்று இளையவரேசாமுன்,

மதுவுண்வண்டுபண்கள் பாடும் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (969)

உறிகள்போல்மெய்ந்நரம் பெழுந்து ஊன்தளர்ந்துள்ளமெள்கி,

நெறியைநோக்கிக்கண் சுழன்று நின்றுநடுங்காமுன்,

அறிதியாகில்நெஞ்சம் அன்பா யாயிரநாமஞ்சொல்லி,

வெறிகொள்வண்டு பண்கள் பாடும் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (970)

பீளைசோரக்கண்ணி டுங்கிப் பித்தெழமூத்திருமி

தாள்கள் நோவத்தம்மில் முட்டித் தள்ளிநடவாமுன்,

காளையாகிக்கன்று மேய்த்துக் குன்றெடுத்தன்றுநின்றான்,

வாளைபாயும்தண்ட டஞ்சூழ் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (971)

பண்டுகாமரான வாறும் பாவையர்வாயமுதம்

உண்டவாறும், வாழ்ந்த வாறும் ஒக்கவுரைத்திருமி,

தண்டுகாலாவூன்றி யூன்றித் தள்ளிநடவாமுன்,

வண்டுபாடும்தண்டு ழாயான் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (972 )

எய்த்த சொல்லோ டீளையேங்கி இருமி யிளைத்துடலம்*

பித்தர்போலச் சித்தம்வேறாய்ப் பேசி யயராமுன்*

அத்தனெந்தை யாதிமூர்த்தி ஆழ்கடலைக் கடைந்த*

மைத்தசோதி யெம்பெருமான் வதரி வணங்குதுமே. (973)

பப்ப அப்பர் மூத்த ஆறு பாழ்ப்பதுசீத்திரளை

யொப்ப ஐக்கள்போத வுந்த உன்தமர்க்காண்மினென்று,

செப்புநேர் மென்கொங்கை நல்லார் தாம்சிரியாதமுன்னம்,

வைப்பும் நங்கள்வாழ்வு மானான் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (974)

ஈசிபோமினீங்கி ரேன்மின் இருமியிளைத்தீர் உள்ளம்

கூசியிட்டீரென்று பேசும் குவளையங்கண்ணியர்ப்பால்,

நாசமானபாசம் விட்டு நன்னெறிநோக்கலுறில்,

வாசம்மல்குதண்டு ழாயான் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (975)

புலன்கள்நையமெய்யில் மூத்துப் போந்திருந்துள்ளமெள்கி

கலங்கவைக்கள்போத வுந்திக் கண்டபிதற்றாமுன்,

அலங்கலாயதண்டு ழாய்கொண்டு ஆயிரநாமம்சொல்லி,

வலங்கொள்தொண்டர்ப்பாடி யாடும் வதரிவணங்குதுமே. (976)

வண்டுதண்டேனுண்டுவாழும் வதரிநெடுமாலை,

கண்டல்வேலிமங்கை வேந்தன் கலியனொலிமாலை,

கொண்டுதொண்டர்ப்பாடி யாடக் கூடிடில்நீள்விசும்பில்,

அண்டமல்லால்மற்ற வர்க்கு ஓராட்சியறியோமே. (977)

ஏனமுனாகி யிருநிலமிடந்து அன்றிணையடி யிமையவர்வணங்க,

தானவனாகம் தரணியில்புரளத் தடஞ்சிலை குனித்தவெந்தலைவன்,

தேனமர் சோலைக் கற்பகம்பயந்த தெய்வநன்னறு மலர்க்கொணர்ந்து,

வானவர் வணங்கும்கங்கை யின்கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (978)

கானிடையுருவைச் சுடுசரம்துரந்து கண்டுமுங்கொடுந் தொழிலுரவோன்,

ஊனுடையகலத்தடு கணைகுளிப்ப உயிர்க்கவர்ந்துகந்தவெம்மொருவன்,

தேனுடைக்கமலத்தயனொடுதேவர் சென்றுசென்றிறைஞ்சிட  பெருகு

வானிடைமுதுநீர்க்கங்கையிங்கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (979)

இலங்கையும் கடலுமடலருந்துப்பின் இருநிதிக்கிறைவனும், அரக்கர்

குலங்களும் கெடமுன் கொடுந் தொழில்புரிந்த கொற்றவன் கொழுஞ்சுடர்சுழன்ற,

விலங்கலிலுரிஞ் சிமேல்நின்றவிசும்பில் வெண்துகிற்கொடி யெனவிரிந்து,

வலந்தரு மணிநீர்க்கங்கையின் கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (980)

துணிவினியுனக்குச் சொல்லுவன்மனமே. தொழுதெழுதொண்டர்கள்தமக்கு,

பிணியொழித்தமரர்ப்பெரு விசும்பருளும் பேரருளாளனெம்பெருமான்,

அணிமலர்க்குழலாரரம்பையர்துகிலும் ஆரமும்வாரிவந்து,

அணிநீர் மணிகொழித்திழிந்த கங்கையின்கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (981)

பேயிடைக்கிருந்து வந்தமற்றவள்தன் பெருமுலைசுவைத்திட  பெற்ற

தாயிடைக் கிருத்தலஞ்சுவனென்று தளர்ந்திட வளர்ந்தவெந்தலைவன்

சேய்முகட்டுச் சியண்டமுஞ்சுமந்த செம்பொன்செய் விலங்கலிலிலங்கு,

வாய்முகட்டிழிந்தகங்கையின்கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (982)

தேரணங்கல்குல்செழுங்கையற்கண்ணி திறத்து ஒருமறத்தொழில்புரிந்து,

பாரணங்கிமிலேறேழுமுன்னடர்த்த பனிமுகில்வண்ணனெம்பெருமான்,

காரணந்தன்னால்கடும்புனல்கயத்தகருவரைபிளவெழக்குத்தி,

வாரணங்கொணர்ந்தகங்கையின்கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (983)

வெந்திறல்களிறும் வேலைவாயமுதும் விண்ணொடு விண்ணவர்க்கரசும்,

இந்திரற்கருளி யெமக்குமீந்தருளும் எந்தையெம்மடிகளெம்பெருமான்,

அந்தரத்தமரரடி யிணைவணங்க ஆயிரமுகத்தினாலருளி,

மந்தரத்திழிந்த கங்கையின்கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (984)

மான்முனிந்தொருகால்வரிசிலைவளைத்த மன்னவன்பொன்னிறத்துரவோன்,

ஊன்முனிந்த வனதுடலிருபிளவா உகிர்நுதிமடுத்து, அயனரனைத்

தான்முனிந்திட்ட வெந்திறல்சாபம் தவிர்த்தவன் தவம்புரிந்துயர்ந்த

மாமுனிகொணர்ந்த கங்கையின்கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (985)

கொண்டல்மா ருதங்கள்குலவரைதொகுநீர்க் குரைகடலுலகுடனனைத்தும்,

உண்டமா வயிற்றோனொண் சுடரேய்ந்த உம்பருமூழியுமானான்,

அண்டமூடறுத் தன்றந்தரத்திழிந்து அங்கவனியாளலமர, பெருகு

மண்டுமா மணி நீர்க்கங்கையின் கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானே. (986)

வருந்திரை மணிநீர்க்கங்கையின் கரைமேல் வதரியாச்சிராமத்துள்ளானை,

கருங்கடல் முந்நீர்வண்ணனையெண்ணிக் கலியன்வாயொலிசெய்தபனுவல்,

வரஞ்செய்த வைந்துமைந்தும்வல்லார்கள் வானவருலகுடன் மருவி,

இருங்கடலுலக மாண்டுவெண்குடைக்கீழ் இமையவராகுவர்தாமே. (987)

Source: www.dravidaveda.org

The temple is open only six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November). During winters when the kapat of Badrinath gets closed, Devas headed by Narada rishi as main priest offer their prayers. The first ceremony on opening is the darshan of the Akhanda jyoti (eternal flame) in an ancient lamp which is lit all through the year, even when the temple is closed for the winter. Fresh smelling flowers and tulsi are seen in the garbhagriha proving that Devas have worshipped the lord during these six months.

Badrinath is one of the few temples in North India that follow the ancient Tantra-Vidhi of Shrauta tradition. The current Rawal is Shri V. Keshavan Namboothiri. Badrinath is one of the five Punyakshetras (holy places) where Hindus offer Shraddakarmas  (oblations) to their 42 lines of ancestors both from the mother’s and father’s side. The karma is perfomed at Brahma Kapal  at Badrinath. Other four are Kashi(Varanasi), Gaya, Prayaga (Allahabad) and Rameshwaram.

Legend of Badrinath in Puranas

Arundati, the wife of the great sage Vasishta asked her husband to tell her of the importance of Badrinath. Vasishta said, “O Arundati! Even the greatest of all sinners becomes freed from all his bondages if he but has a glimpse of Sri Badri Narayana. But this holy glimpse is not so easy to get. Only one who has prayed to the Lord for a hundred births will have His darshan. Such a person is fit for liberation (moksha). Even one who utters the name of Lord Badri Narayana will be freed from all sins. One who bathes in the holy waters and offers food or flowers to the Lord and one who offers the akhand deep (the eternal light) is indeed most fortunate. All the gods will bow at his feet.   O Arundati! Lord Badrinatha has the knowledge of all the Vedas and can bring one out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of wisdom”! 

Srimad Ramayana indicates that Sri Rama sent Swayamprabha to Badrinath (Yogaasidhita), to reside in His eternal presence. This was a reward for helping the vanara sena find Lanka and search for Sita Devi.

According to the Srimad Bhagavatha Purana, "There in Badrikashram the supreme being Vishnu, in his incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, had been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the welfare of all living entities." (Bhagavata Purana 3.4.22). In the Mahabharatha, Krishna addressing Arjuna, says, “You were Nara in a former body, and with Narayana for the companion, did perform dreadful austerity at Badari for many myriads of years”.

Story of Nara and Narayana is narrated in Srimad Bhagavatham (Canto 11, chapter 4) by Drumila Yogeshwara to Raja Nimi. During the Satya Yuga, best among the sages Nara and Narayana were born from Daksha prajapati’s daughter and Dharma’s wife called Murti. A famous legend about Nara and Narayan is as follows. Seeing their intense austerities, Indra began to fear that they would snatch swarga loka from him. He therefore, sent Kamadeva along with many apsaras to disturb their penance. Lord Narayana and Nara were however, not at all disturbed in any way. When Kamadeva saw this, he realized that Narayana is the supreme being Himself. Kamadeva then praised Lord Narayana. The Lord brought forth many apsaras of far greater  beauty than any of Indra's. He told Kamadeva and others that they could take along with them the best among the apsaras He brought forth. Kamadeva and the apsaras took Urvashi along with them. Urvashi's name comes from the fact that she was brought forth from the Lord's thighs. When Kamadeva reached Svargaloka, he  described Lord Narayana's glory to Indra, who realized his mistake.  Lord Narayana and Nara still reside in Badrikashram and continue their tapas in the form of the Nara-Narayana mountains.

According to the Skanda Purana: “There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell; but there is no shrine like Badrinath”. The area around Badrinath according to Padma Purana is abounding in Spiritual treasures. It is the land of meditation.

The Lord was visible to everyone in Satya yuga. During this period, devas and rishis offered prayers. In Treta yuga, penance was necessary to see Him. In Dwapara yuga, even sages found it difficult to get His darshan. The Lord said that in Kali yuga, He would not be visible to the mortal eyes and added that His idol was under Narad Shila in Alakananda.

The Devas established this murthi and Narada was its first archaka. When Buddhism became prominent, Buddhists got control of this temple and continued to worship the Lord as Budddha. When Adi Shankaracharya defeated the Buddhists, they fled to Tibet after throwing the murthi into the Alakananda.  Adi Shankaracharya recovered the murthi and established it, along with the Puja paddhati described above. 

At a later stage, a pujari threw the murthi into the Tapta kund while abandoning the temple due to the lack of yatris. At that time, Ghantakarna appeared in the dreams of someone from Pandukeshwar and pointed out that the idol is in Taptakund.  An acharya from Sri Ramanujacharya's sampradaya then reestablished the idol. However, the Lord insisted that the Puja paddhati established by Adi Shankaracharya should not be changed. 

Seeing the idol carries the same merit as seeing His visible form. The tapas and daanam done at this place yield fruits 10000 fold and are considered Satvic.

According to a legend, the place was originally the residence of Shiva and Parvati. When the Lord decided to manifest at this place, He disguised Himself as a small boy came to meet them. He asked for the chance to rest at this place. Lord Shiva, through his divine vision, knew that it was the Lord Himself. He therefore, warned Parvati Devi about what was going to happen. However, out of maternal affection, Parvati Devi allowed the child to rest at this place. The Lord went into the room to rest, and the room was locked automatically. The Lord then told them that He has decided to stay here to provide relief to people during Kali Yuga. He asked Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati to move to Kedarnath. He laid down the rule that a pilgrimage to Badrinath would be complete only after a Pilgrimage to Kedarnath. If one is unable to visit Kedarnath, they should visit the Adi Kedareshwar temple near the Badrinath temple before proceeding to have darshan of the Lord Himself.

According to another legend, King Vishala did deep penance at this place to Lord Badrinath. The lord blessed the king that everyone would remember him, as his name would be attached to the Lord’s name. Therefore this place is also called as “Vishala Badri”.

Legend associated with Tapta Kunda is as follows: Agni once asked many Rishis how he could be freed from the sin of being all consuming. Sri Veda Vyasa then told Agni to worship  Shri Badrinarayana in Badrinath. This would cleanse all sins. Agni did as told. The Lord appeared before Agni and told Agni to ask for a boon. When Agni requested that he be freed from the sin of being all consuming and that he be given protection, the Lord said that one who comes to this place itself is freed from all sins. Accordingly, Agni resides in the Taptakund. Anyone who bathes in the Taptakund is cleansed of all sins. 

Those who want to go to Brahmakapal (for performing piNdadaan) should reach the road near the temple from Taptakund and then go north for a short distance before getting down to the banks of the Alakananda. When Lord Shiva removed Lord Brahma's fifth head, it stuck to His hand. When Lord Shiva came to Badrinath after visiting all tirthas, the head that was stuck to His hand fell off on its own at Brahmakapal. Below Brahmakapal is the Brahmakund, where Lord Brahma had performed austerities.

Brahmakapal is a pitru teertha of the highest power. Here, pitrus wait for their descendants to offer pindas. The munis consider offerings to pitrus at this spot to be the most effective. Whether done knowingly or unknowingly, with or without faith, a pinda daana made here liberates ancestors. The fruits of doing tarpana here are upto one crore times higher than those coming from tarpanas done at Gaya and other teerthas. Even relatives on the mother's side, father-in-laws side, friends and others who are reborn as tress, etc attain paramapada through offerings made at Brahmakapala. Ancestors expect that one among their descendants makes offerings here to liberate them to higher worlds. 

When Garuda was carrying Amrut to save his mother from Kadru's clutches, he met the Lord. A battle followed in which Garuda was defeated. The Lord asked Garuda to request Him for boons. Garuda then prayed that he be the Vaahanam of the Lord and that he be on the Lord's flagstaff. Hence, Garuda is seen in the sanctum sanctorum of this temple. 

Nara and Narayanan, Lord assured that every year Puratasi Dwadasi (Balabhadra Dwadashi), Lord would come to His mother's temple and spend a day with Her. “Maata Moorthi Ka Mela” is conducted on this day in which Uddhava is taken to Maata Murti temple. One who visits Badrinath must definitely go to Maata Moorthi temple which is situated about 4 kms away from the main temple on the way to Mana village.  She grants "Vairagya".

Lord Varaha tells Bhoodevi in the Varaha Purana that He resides inside the snow in the Brahmakund. He assures that anyone who stays there for three nights and fasts and bathes appropriately will attain the fruits of the Agnishthoma yagna. Those who leave their material bodies while undertaking vratas at this place attain His abode. 

Lord Varaha, in the Varaha Purana, also mentions the following places in this region that we were not able to visit. They may not be very close to the main temple. 

1. Agnisatyapada, where water from three peaks falls. Whoever stays for three nights at this place and bathes appropriately here will become truthful and capable at performing his duties. Those who leave their material bodies at this spot while touching the waters here attain His abode.

2. Indraloka is an exalted ashram in this region. At this spot, large waterfalls from himalayan peaks descend. At this place His dharma always stays. Whoever spends a single night at this spot and then takes a bath becomes truthful and attains satyaloka. The person, who after practising regular vratas, leaves his/her body at this spot reaches His abode.

3. Panchashikha is a teertha where water falls from five himalayan peaks. These waterfalls are now rivers. Whoever bathes at that spot attains the fruit of the Ashvamedha yagna and therefore attains the Devaloka. Those who give up their body at this spot after intense austerities attain His abode. 

4. Chatussrota is another place in this region described by Lord Varaha. Four waterfalls from himalayan peaks fall here. Whoever bathes after staying here for one night attains a higher region of heaven. After falling from there (once his punyaphala is over), such a person is reborn in this world as His bhakta. After performing hard sadhana, this person attains His abode. 

5. Vedhdhaara is also mentioned by the Lord. Here, on a high shila, four large dhaaras of water fall. Whoever stays here four four nights and bathes appropriately becomes eligible to study the four Vedas. His devotee, who gives up his/her body at this spot, attains His abode. At this very place, one also finds the twelve divine ``Kund"s, where He established the twelve Suryas. Whoever bathes at this spot on a Dvadashi attains the loka of the twelve Suryas. Such a person eventually leaves the Adtiyas to attain His abode. 

6. Somabhisheka is another spot the Lord mentions. At this place, the Lord established Soma as the king of Brahmanas. For this, Chandra performed penance for 14 crore years. Indra, Skanda and the Maruts used to appear and leave the earth at this very spot. All that stays at this place attains the qualities of Chandra and ultimately attains unity with the Lord Himself. Somagiri is another place, where those who stay for three nights and bathe appropriately attain Chandraloka. Afterwards, after intense tapas, when they leave their bodies, they attain His abode. 

7. Urvashi kund is yet another sacred spot Lord Varaha mentions. We saw this place from a distance. When the Lord was performing tapas at Badarikashrama, He was invisible to the other Devatas because of His Yogamaya. When the Devatas, guided by Brahma, prayed to Him to reappear, He did so and bestowed His grace upon them at this very spot. In addition, the Lord created Urvashi at this very place. Those who bathe at this place after spending a night here attain Urvashi's abode after being freed from all sins. Those who, while being constantly engaged in worshipping the Lord, leave their bodies at this spot attain unity with Him. 

Lord Varaha tells Bhoodevi that when the glories of Badarikashram are recalled, at which ever place, the presence of the Lord pervades that place. A person that does this never returns to the mortal world. Whoever says and hears the glories of Badarikashram as told by Lord Varaha to Bhoodevi attains Brahmacharya, victory over anger, truthfullness, control over the senses and faith in Him. Such a person is situated in Dhyaana and Yoga and attains liberation.  Knowing this fact is knowing Dhyaanayoga. Such a person attains paramagati. 

Preparation for Badrinath Yatra

1) Piligrims can book for sevas in advance or a day before the darshan. The following are the list of sevas and their prices as of 2012.

Details of Puja/Paath and Aarti	Rates in Rs.
Morning Puja 4.30 AM to 6.30 AM
1. Maha Abhishek (3 Persons)	6301.00
2. Abhishek Puja (2 Persons)	4901.00
7.30 AM to 12 Noon and 3 PM
3. Ved Path (3 Persons)	1401.00
4. Geeta Path (3 Persons)	2101.00
Special Pooja
1. Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah Path	21001.00
2. Entire Pujas of a day	21001.00
Evening Aarti / Archana & Path 6 PM to 9:00 PM
1. Swarna Aarti (2 Persons)	491.00
2. Vishnu Sahasranama Paath (2 Persons)	561.00
3. Kapoor Aarti (3 Persons)	211.00
Daily or Periodical Puja / Bhog & Akhand Jyoti
1. Akhand Jyoti Annual	2941.00
2. Ghrit Kambal Ghee on closing day	2941.00
3. Ghee for Deepak on closing day	2101.00
4. Akhand Jyoti for one day	981.00
Puja on Special Occasions
1. Bhagwan Nar-Narayan Janmotsava (in Srawan month)	2941.00
2. Shrawani Abhishek (in Srawan month)	7001.00
3. Shri Krishna Janmastami Utsava	6301.00
Other offerings
1. Donations for Renovation work	1001.00 and above

DD for booking pujas at Badrinathji should be made in favor of CEO, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temples Committee & will be payable at SBI, Joshimath Branch. The branch code of SBI, Joshimath is 06170.
 The DD along with a puja booking request letter mentioning your complete postal address should be send to the following address: 

Pramod Nautiyal: IT Co-ordinator, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temples Committee, Maa Chandra Badni Temple, Near Kargi Chowk & Oberoi Nissan Motors, Kargi Grant, Haridwar By-pass road, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand. 

After receiving the DD the puja will be formally booked & the confirmation letter will be send to you through e-mail. Send the DD in 1-2 working days through Blue Dart / DTDC Plus courier only. After making the DD mail 
Mr Pramod Nautiyal at pramod@badarikedar.org the scanned copy of DD. For your convenience also keep the copy of the DD with you.

Place of stay: 

While Sarovar portico is considered to be the best hotel in Badrinath, we stayed at hotel Snow Crest. This is still quite a good hotel. For food, we used to go to Anantha Math, which is nearby. The management of Anantha Math is very friendly here. We did our Dwadashi parane also here. The Anantha Math is also associated with an NGO which runs a mobile clinic. This NGO is the only reasonable source of medical care in Badrinath and neighboring areas like Mana village.

Copyright 2017 by Jayashree Badarinath

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