Blog

 Sri Badrinath Dhama Yatra

1. Sri Badri Vishal Temple

2. Charana Paduka – Footprints of Lord Nara-Narayana

3. Neelkantha Mountain – The Shining Pyramid

4. Keshav Prayag and Sarasvati River at Mana Village

5. Vyasa Gufa - The Cave of Vyasadeva

6. Bhima Pul - Bridge of Bhima

7. Leela Dungi - Appearance site of Lord Nara-Narayana

8. Urvasi Temple

9. Mata Murti Temple

10. Pancha Dhara (Five Streams)

11. Pancha Shilas

12. Tapta Kunda and Brahma Kapal

13. Narada Kunda

14. Ghanta Karna Temple

15. Sesha Netra

16. Satopanth Lake – Glacial Lake of Divine Trinity

17. Laksmi-vana, Cakra-tirtha, Swargarohini Mountain

18. Ekadasi Gufa

The most sacred, prominent, and endowed with nature’s bountiful magnificence, Badrinath Dhama or Badarikasrama, close to the India-China border, quietly ensconced on the bank of Alakananda River, situated on a plateau between twin sentinels of Nara and Narayana mountains, and in the shadow of the Queen of the Himalayas, Neelkantha peak, is the abode of the Supreme Personality as Nara-Narayana Rsi.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3.4.23 states: “There in Badarikasrama the Personality of Godhead, in His incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, has been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the welfare of all amiable living entities.” Badrinath Dhama was visited by great personalities like Uddhava and Pandavas, even 5000 years ago. It is one of the eight self-manifested holy tirthas in India (Svayam Vyakta Ksetras).

Pivotal of devotion, Lord Badri Vishal, a self-manifested black, two feet high Saligrama-sila, inside the beautiful canopy-shaped, ornate Sri Badri Vishal Temple attracts millions of pilgrims from throughout the world every year! Lord Badri Vishal is in the centre seated in a meditative siddhasana posture with palms locked and the matted hair flowing over the shoulders. On His left are Nara and Narayana, the former in padmasana (lotus yogic posture) and the latter in dhanurasana. Kuvera is on His right side. Uddhava stands in front of the Lord, side by side with a silver deity of Garuda and Narada Muni is kneeling. The sanctum sanctorum also has Sudarshana Yantra in silver. Within the courtyard of the temple to the right, stands a small temple of Laksmi, Hanuman Ji, Ghantakaran (ksetrapal of Badrinath), and a black stone murti of Sripad Sankaracarya. One can also partake the charnamrita of Lord Badri Vishal emerging from the base of the temple. There is also a Prasadam stall from where one can buy special Himalayan style ladoo prasada offered to the Lord. The views of the spectacular Nara and Narayana mountains from the courtyard are astounding.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3.4.30 states: “One who is transcendentally advanced can gain direct inspiration from the temple Deity, and thus a devotee of the Lord always takes shelter of a recognized temple of the Lord in order to make tangible advancement in transcendental knowledge by the grace of the Lord.” The mood at Badrinath is vibrant and steeped with devotion. The devotees loudly chant “Jai Badri Vishal” while taking the darshans. Attending Mangala-arati (5AM) followed by the abhiseka of the Lord Badri Vishal is a life-time experience! Nambudiri Brahmins priests from Kerala engage in strictly regulated worship. The principal priest is called ‘Rawal’. Throughout the day when Badri Vishal Temple is open (5AM to 1PM and 3PM to 9PM), several aratis and pujas are offered to the Lord. Devotees can attend these ceremonies by prior booking of the tickets and take the opportunity to sit for the most sublime darshans of Their Lordships. When Buddhism was in its prime, the worship of Sri Badri Vishal was neglected, and the Lord was hidden in the nearby Narada kunda. The Lord stayed there for several years until Sripad Adi Sankaracarya recovered the deity and installed it in the present temple in the 8th century.

Read more: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=112653