Badrinath Temple History – Badrinath Dham is one of the four major pilgrimage centers of Hindus situated on the left side of the Alaknanda River, in the lap of Nar and Narayan mountain ranges at Uttarakhand state.
Badrinath is as one of the holy pilgrimage destinations among the 24 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The Badrinath temple is a significant part of the Panch Badri temples, which also include Yoga Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri, and Vriddha Badri. This sacred place is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s fourth incarnation, Nar and Narayan, drawing countless devotees seeking spiritual solace.
Badrinath Dham, known as the abode of Lord Narayana, has also been the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya. It is also believed that AdiGuru Shankaracharya had built the temple in the 8th century.
History of Sri Badrinath Temple
According to Hindu scriptures, when Lord Vishnu was resting on Sheshnag for a long time, Maharishi Narad woke him up. After which Lord Vishnu turned to the Himalayas in search of a quiet place for penance. During his stay, Badrinath fascinated him. He felt that this place would prove to be a good place for penance. Here his eyes fell on a hut. Mother Parvati and Lord Shivawere already present here. Lord Vishnu thought that if he chose this place for penance, Lord Shiva would become angry. There are many mythological stories prevalent in the history of Shri Badrinath Temple.
Lord Vishnu made a plan
To escape the wrath of Lord Shiva and make this area his own, he took the form of a child and started crying at the door of the hut. Mother Parvati became emotional after hearing the child’s voice. Despite Lord Shiva’s warning, she took Vishnu in the form of child in her lap and pacified him and fed him milk. After some time, after putting the child to sleep, the mother went with Lord Shiva to take bath in the pond.
Shiv-Parvati left Badrinath for Kedarnath.
After returning from bathing in the pond, he noticed that the door was locked from inside. When Mother Parvati tried to wake up the child, Lord Shiva stopped her. Bholenath knew about this leela of Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva told Parvati that now she has no other option but to leave Badrinath Dham. After which both of them left Badrinath Dham and went to Kedarnath and from that time this Dham changed from Shiv Dham to Vishnu Dham.
Know the interesting mythological stories related to Badrinath Temple History
Badrinath Dham, where Goddess Lakshmi transformed into the Badri tree, This sacred site is the revered abode of Lord Vishnu’s fourth incarnation, Nar and Narayan. There’s a profound saying associated with this Dham: “Jo Jaaye Badri, Vo Na Aaye Odri,” meaning that anyone who visits Badrinath is freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth, ensuring they do not return to their mother’s womb.
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The transformation of Lakshmi ji into the Badri tree
Long ago, when Lord Vishnu was deep in meditation, a heavy snowfall began. As he sat immersed in his penance, the snow began to cover him entirely. Witnessing this, Goddess Lakshmi took on the form of a magnificent plum tree, shielding him from the harsh weather. For many years, she tirelessly endured the elements to protect her beloved from the sun, rain, and snow. Once Lord Vishnu concluded his penance, he discovered that Lakshmi ji was entirely enveloped in snow. Moved by her devotion, he proclaimed, “O Goddess! Your penance mirrors mine. Henceforth, I will be worshiped alongside you at this sacred place. You have sheltered me as the Badri tree, so from this day on, I shall be known as ‘Badri ke Nath,’ the Lord of Badrinath.” Thus, Lord Vishnu received the name Badrinath, forever connecting him to the divine protection of Goddess Lakshmi.
There is a wonderful idol of Lord Narasimha here.
It is believed that in Joshimath, where the movable idol of Badrinath remains during winter, there is a temple of Narasimha. There is a wonderful idol of Lord Narasimha in Shaligram rock. The left arm of this Deity is thin and is becoming thinner with time. The day his wrist will be separated from the idol, the Nar-Narayan mountains will become one. Due to which the route to Badrinath will be closed, no one will be able to visit here.
Half figure of god
Bhavishya Badri is situated at a distance of 6 miles from Joshimath on the road leading to Kailash. There is a stone near the temple here. If you look carefully at this rock, half the figure of God is visible. When this shape takes full form, then the benefit of darshan of Badrinath will be achieved here only.
When and where to visit
It is mentioned in the Puranas that Lord Vishnu used to be seen here in Satyayuga. In the scriptures, the present Badrinath i.e. Badri Vishal Dham has been described as the second abode of God. The place where God’s abode will be in the future has been called Bhavishya Badri.
Description of Shri Badrinath Dham
Shri Badrinath Dham is situated amidst the snow covered mountain ranges in the northern part of Chamoli, the border district of Uttarakhand state. According to the mythological Shruti, being troubled by the atrocities of the mighty demon Sahasrakavacha, after listening to the prayers of the sages, Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of Nar-Narayan from the womb of Matamurti, the daughter of Daksh Prajapati, as the son of Dharma and for the welfare of the world. Performed severe penance at this place. The temple of Lord Badrinath is situated on the right bank of Alaknanda where the Shaligram stone Swayambhu idol of Lord Badrinath is worshipped.
AdiGuru Shankaracharya ji Revives the Shri Badrinath Temple (History)
Adiguru Shankaracharya ji played a significant role in the renovation of the Shri Badrinath ji temple. He performed penance in Joshimath and established Jyotishpeeth. Adi Shankaracharya ji stayed for four years in Vyas cave near Badrinath and wrote authentic commentaries on Brahma Sutra, Geeta, Upanishads and Sanatshu Jatiya.
As an incarnation of Lord Shankar, Jagatguru Shankaracharya also made arrangements for the proper arrangement of the Hindu temples of this area and established Shri Badrinath as the best among the four Dhams established for the whole of India and the other three Dhams were Dwarka, Jagannath and Rameshwar.
Associated with. Even today, these four – Char Dhams have special importance from the point of view of India’s culture and national integration. Since the time of Jagatguru Shankaracharya ji, Lord Vishnu himself was worshiped as the presiding deity of the Tirtha in Badrinath and daily daily rituals and worship started with the pure Vaishnav method and since then this tradition has been going on. Shri Badrinath ji is worshiped according to Vaishnav method.
How to reach Badrinath Dham
By air travel: Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun is the nearest airport to Badrinath which is located at a distance of 314 kilometers from Badrinath.
By Rail: Rishikesh is the nearest railway station. Rishikesh railway station is located 295 km before Badrinath.
By Road: Badrinath is connected by motor road with major destinations of Uttarakhand state.
How to search Accommodation
The following accommodation options are available in Sri Badrinath and near by places. for details Read More
The temple has been a victim of tragedy many times
This temple of Shri Lord Badrinath was damaged several times due to avalanches but the kings of Garhwal renovated the temple and also expanded it. The earthquake that hit the region in 1803 caused extensive damage to the temple. After this incident, the king of Jaipur got the temple rebuilt. Today, due to the continuous efforts and development of the state government, the court of Shri Badrinath is open to the devotees where lakhs of devotees come here every year.
FAQ
Badrinath Temple also known as Badrinarayan Temple, located in the city of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, is one of the Char Dham (four important pilgrimage sites) of the state. There are four pilgrimage sites namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, which are collectively known as Char Dham.
Where is Badrinath located
Shri Badrinath is situated in the Himalayan Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
Best time to visit in Hindi
The climate of Badrinath remains cold almost throughout the year. Between May to June and September to October is the best peak season to visit this place. For details Read More.
How to reach Badrinath Dham
Badrinath Dham can be reached by air, rail and road. Read More
Places to visit in Badrinath
Apart from Badrinath Temple, here you can see Tapt Kund, Brahma Kapala, Neelkanth Shikhar, Mata Murti Temple, Charanpaduka, Sheshnetra and Vasudhara Waterfall. All these places are located at a distance of only a few kilometers from each other. After visiting Badrinath, do visit these popular places also.
