The Badrinarayan temple, located on the banks of the Alaknanda River, is one of the four dhams. It is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Here Lord Vishnu sits as a statue of Shaligram and Mata Lakshmi as a Badri tree.
That increase the Importance of Badrinath.
This place has been the place of action of Adi Shankara. The present design of the temple was built by the Raja of Garhwal in the sixteenth century. The priests of the temple are descendants of Shankaracharya, called Rawal. Due to the abundance of Badri trees here, it was named Badrinath.
it is believed that –
Once Muni Narada came to Kshirsagar to see Lord Vishnu, where he saw Mata Lakshmi pressing her feet. Shocked Narada asked God about it, then Lord Vishnu, suffering from guilt, went to the Himalayas to do penance. When Lord Vishnu was absorbed in austerities in Yogadhyana posture, there was a lot of snowfall. Lord Vishnu was completely immersed in snow. Seeing this condition, the heart of Mother Lakshmi was moved and she took the form of a badri tree standing near Lord Vishnu herself and started to bear all the snow on her. Mata Lakshmiji got into austerity to save Lord Vishnu from sun, rain and snow. Many years later, when Lord Vishnu completed his penance, he saw that Lakshmiji was covered with snow. Seeing the tenacity of Goddess Lakshmi, she said, ” O Goddess! You too have meditated like me, so from this day I will be worshiped with you and because you have protected me in the form of a Badri tree. I shall be known as Badri’s Nath-Badrinath. “
The Badrinath temple is built on a 50 meters high ground from the Alaknanda River.
“This sacred place has also been mentioned in many ancient texts like Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata and Skanda Purana.”
Due to excess snow fall on cold days, the temple is closed for six months and is opened for six months of summer days.
To do this, some people also believe that-
“Here Lord Vishnu stays in sleep for 6 months and wakes up for 6 months. “
“In order to praise Lord Vishnu, devotees offer a garland of vantulsi, raw pulses of gram, a ball of kernel and mishri etc., and address the deprived fruits”
The temple is composed of three parts. The sanctum sanctorum, darshan pavilion, and assembly pavilion. “
The sanctum sanctorum has a statue of Lord Badrinarayan constructed from a 1 meter tall Shaligram, which is placed in a gold canopy under the Badri tree.
The fair of Mata idol is the main festival of Badrinath temple which is celebrated in the joy of arrival of Mother Ganga to earth.
Apart from this, Badri Kedar which is celebrated simultaneously in both Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. The festival lasts for eight days here.
It is believed that –
Visiting Lord Badrinarayan leads to the attainment of salvation for a human being, that is, the creature gets freedom from coming to this death-ridden world again and again.
