Information of Badrinath Temple, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Badrinath Temple is an ancient Hindu holy place in the Himalayan Mountain ranges. It has an altitude of 3133 meters above the mean sea-level. It is located at Chamoli District of Uttarakhand State in north India. It is an pilgrim place know as the chota char-dham of the Himalaya's. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is also known as the Badhri Narayana or the Badhrinat. It is a beautiful temple open to pilgrims from April to November, since the winter seasons are fed with snows making it inaccessible. This temple has a record of more than 10 Lakhs visitors who come here during these 6 months opened of pilgrimages.

Badrinath Temple Religious Significance

Badrinath is a heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu. This place is visited by all Hindus once in a life time as a must in the Himalaya's. The Tapt khund is the holy hot spring that all devotees take a dip before entering this temple places. Here lord Vishnu is seen in yogic position or seated in the Padmasana. Visiting this temple is equivalent to visit heavens is what the mythical beliefs of the Hindu's since the ancient times. Getting the blessing from his heavenly abode is believed to be very powerful by its devotees. This is one of the main shrines for the Vaishnavites.

Badrinath Temple Festival Significance

Badrinath Temple conducts yearly festivals; the Mata Murti Ka Mela is the main festival celebrating the Ganges River flowing in the lands of Badhrinath. In the month of June a week day festival is celebrated here know as the Badri Kedhar. It is a grand festival with cultural activities. The opening and closing of this temple is also an important days, since this is only open for 6 month. The closing day of this temple is always on the day of Vijayadashami which occurs in-between October and November. On this auspicious day an Aghanda Joythi is lighted up on its main lamp tower which is fueled with Ghee to last still the next opening of this temple in the next summer. The closing day is witnessed by thousands of devotees and many rituals are conducted here.

Badrinath Temple Mythology & History

Since Vedic Era this place is know in the history of mankind. It is also the oldest mountain in the world. As per Vedic records and Vishnu Puranas, Lord Vishnu underwent a long time meditation here. His wife Sri Lakshmi, stood as Badhri tree behind him to protect him from snow fall and cold winds. Hence this place name acquired as Badhrinath. Here the Badhri is meant to the Jujube tree and Nath means the Lord. There are also legends associated with the Adhi Shankara a Hindu saint lived in the 9th Century AD. He actually found a self manifestation of the lord Shiva Idol near the Tapt khund (Hot Spring) and placed it in the nearby Buddhist monk's shrine. He also lived here for nearly 6 months and the Garhwal King named Kanak Pal also associated with this temple to make it a great Hindu pilgrim place. Since this temple was recreated by Adhi Shankara, who is native of Kerala State and the temple's main priest is also a Kerala person since the 10th century AD. This customs is still followed here.

Badrinath Temple Architectural Significance

Badrinath Temple is seen on the banks of Alaknanda River and by a hot spring called the Tapt khund. The granite stones and woods are used here as main construction material. This temple is seen in the Buddhist Shrine form. There is no record of its constructions, it is said that previously the Buddhist monks used to meditate here. This temple has two entrances from the front and the back side. The front entrance is seen with a high tower attached with a heavy Brass Bell. It is a square structure with two stories. Its tower top has an ornate dome. Adjacent of this temples ash a naturally formed hot spring, it is converted with a closure and kept it as a pilgrim bath place known as the Tapt Khund. The main deity is beautifully carved in the seated mediation position on granite stone. This temple is beautifully painted with multi colors and looking very beautiful on Himalayan mountains.