Sapta Badri

Coordinates: 30°44′40.9″N 79°25′22.49″E / 30.744694°N 79.4229139°E / 30.744694; 79.4229139
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Adi Badri, Haryana.

Sapta Badri
Badrinath temple, chief of the Sapta Badri
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityVishnu
Location
StateUttarakhand
CountryIndia
Geographic coordinates30°44′40.9″N 79°25′22.49″E / 30.744694°N 79.4229139°E / 30.744694; 79.4229139
Architecture
TypeNorth Indian architecture
CreatorAdi Shankaracharya
CompletedUnknown

Sapta Badri constitutes a group of seven sacred

Adi Badri
, Bhavishya Badri, Yogadhayan Badri, Vriddha Badri, Ardha Badri and Dhyan Badri. The Panch Badri temple circuit consisted of only five temples, omitting Ardha Badri and usually Dhyan Badri (or sometimes Vriddha Badri). Rarely, Narasingh Badri, is included in the Sapta Badri or Panch Badri list.

The abode of Vishnu in the

Nandprayag in the south, is particularly known as the Badri Kshetra in which all the Badri temples are located.[1] Since the early times, approach to the main temple of Badrinath was only along a bridle path passing through badri van or (forest of berries). Thus, the word "Badri", meaning "berries", is suffixed to the names of all the Sapta Badri (seven) temples.[2]

The main shrine of Badrinath is well connected by road and air but is closed during the winter season due to snow conditions, from October–November to April–May depending on the astrological dates fixed by the Temple Committee; the Raj Purohit (Royal priest) decides the auspicious day for opening the temple kapat (doors) on Vasant Panchami day in end of April/early May while the closing day is Vijayadashami day in October/November. The other six temples are located in villages, largely in remote locations. A few of them can be approached only by trekking along bridle paths.[2][3]

Badrinath

Main article: Badrinath Temple
Badrivishal of Sapta Badri

Badrinath is the northern Dham of the four sacred Dhams (pilgrimage centres) called

Holkars.[3] Badrinath is also part of Chota Char Dham, four sacred temples in Uttarakhand. The others include the Shiva temple of Kedarnath and the sources of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna
.

The Badrinath legend states that Vishnu (

Nara and Narayana.[2][3]

According to the scripture Bhagavata Purana, "There in Badrikashram (Badrinath) the Personality of Godhead (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." (3.4.22)

The layout of the temple has three enclosures namely, the

Shankh (Conch) and Sudarshana Chakra
(discus) in two arms in a raised posture and the other two arms rest on the lap in Yogamudra (meditative pose). The images of religious leaders
Ramanujacharya are also worshipped here.[5]

In the sanctum, to the far right side are Nara and Narayana. Narada is kneeling in front on the right side and is difficult to see. On the left side is Kubera, the god of wealth. Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle is kneeling in front, to the left of Badri-narayana. Wings at the entrance are adorned with images of Hanuman, and a silver Ganesha, god of wisdom. In the enclosure (prakara) surrounding the temple, a small shrine is dedicated to Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort.[5] Nambudiri Brahmins from southern state of Kerala serve as head priests here.[6]

Adi Badri

Adi Badri complex of temples near Karnaprayag
Chandpur Garhi Fort, temple is 3km from it.

The Adi Badri (30°27′27″N 77°20′28″E / 30.45750°N 77.34111°E / 30.45750; 77.34111) the first temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples is an ancient shrine dedicated to Vishnu and is one among a chain of 16 small shrines located in the hill ranges 17 kilometres (11 mi), beyond

Brahmins from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.[6]

Adi Badri is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Chandpur fort or Garhi located on the hilltop, which was built by the

Parmar kings of garhwal. Adi Badri is an hour's drive from Karnaprayag and close to Chulakot on the way to Ranikhet.[8][9] On shifting of Badrinath (also known as Raj Badri) to Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri will be called the Yog Badri.[11]

Vriddha Badri

Vriddha Badri or Briddha Badri - an austere shrine, is located in the Animath village ( 1,380 m (4,530 ft), above sea level) 7 km (4.3 mi), from Joshimath on the Rishikesh–Joshimath-Badrinath road.[4] The Vriddha Badri legend says that Vishnu appeared in the form of a Vriddha or old man before sage Narada who performed penance here. Thus, the idol installed at this temple is in the form of an old man.[3]

According to legend, the image of Badrinath was carved by the divine craftsman

Vishwakarma and worshipped here. At the advent of Kali Yuga, Vishnu chose to remove himself from this place, later Adi Shankara found the partly damaged image in Narad-kund pond and established it at the central Badrinath shrine.[4][12] According to legend, Badrinath was worshipped here by Adi Shankara, before his enshrinement at the Badrinath temple. The temple is open throughout the year.[7] Brahmins from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.[6]

Bhavishya Badri

Bhavishya Badri, also spelt as Bhabisya Badri, 2,744 metres (9,003 ft), above sea level)

Manasarovar, along the Dhauli Ganges River.[citation needed] It is situated on the way from Tapovan to Lata in the Niti Valley.[9] Bhavishya Badri is connected by a motorable road to Saldhar,19 kilometres (12 mi), from Joshimath, beyond which a 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) trek is undertaken to reach the shrine.[4][13]

According to the legend of Bhavishya Badri (literally "Badri of the future"), when evil transcends the world, the mountains of Nara and Narayana would block up the route to Badrinath and the sacred shrine would become inaccessible. The present world will be destroyed and a new one established. Then, Badrinath will appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here, instead of the Badrinath shrine.

ten avatars of Vishnu.[4][13]

Yogadhyan Badri

Yogadhyan Badri, also called Yoga Badri, is located at Pandukeshwar (30°38′2″N 79°32′51″E / 30.63389°N 79.54750°E / 30.63389; 79.54750) at the elevation of 1,829 metres (6,001 ft), close to Govind Ghat and is as ancient as the main Badrinath temple.

Mahabharata war, came here to repent. They handed their kingdom of Hastinapur to their grandson Parikshit and went to perform penance in the Himalayas.[11][14]

Copper plate inscriptions found here indicate rule by early Katyuri Rajas and the region was known as Panchal Desh, now officially designated as Uttarakhand. One inscription extols the grant of land given by King Nimbarana. Another historic location is the Suryakund, on top of Milam glacier, which is a hot water spring, where Kunti - mother of Pandavas gave birth to her illegitimate son Karna, fathered by the sun-god Surya. Kunti was married to Pandu at Pandukeshwar.[11][15]

Yogdhyan Badri is also considered the winter abode for the Utsava-murti (festival-image) of Badrinath, when the temple of Badrinath is closed.

Bhatts (priests) from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.[6]

Dhyan Badri

Dhyan Badri (2,135 metres (7,005 ft), above sea level)

Pandavas lineage who meditated in the Urgam region and established the temple for Vishnu.[3] The image of Vishnu is four-armed, made of black stone and in a meditative posture.[16] There is also a temple to god Shiva built by Adi Shankara.[citation needed] Kalpeshwar, one of the Panch Kedar sacred temple of Shiva, is situated 2 kilometres (1.2 mi), away.[16] The temple is sometimes included in the Panch-Badri list.[9] Brahmins from South India serve as head priests in the temple.[6]

Ardha Badri

Ardha Badri, located on the Joshimath-Tapovan road is in a remote village and can be approached only by trekking along a steep bridle path. As the size of the idol is small, the temple is called Ardha Badri (literal meaning half Badri).[citation needed]

Narasingh Badri

The existing temple of Narasimha (Narasingh) at Joshimath (30°33′3″N 79°33′30″E / 30.55083°N 79.55833°E / 30.55083; 79.55833), also called as Narasingh Badri or Narasimha Badri, is closely linked to the Bhavishya Badri legend, even though usually it is regarded as not one of the famous Panch Badri or Sapta Badri. Sometimes, it may be included in the Sapta-Badri list instead of Ardha-Badri or Panch-Badri list instead of Dhyan Badri.[9] [17]

The chief image of Narasimha is made out of the

swayambhu). The image is 10 inches (25 cm) high and depicts the god sitting in the lotus position.[10][18]

It is believed that one arm of the image is getting emaciated with time and finally fall off. When the arm disappears, the main shrine of Badrinath will be closed to the world and Lord Badrinath will shift to Bhavishya Badri shrine. With this cataclysmic event, Kali Yuga will end ushering in the Satya Yuga. Then the Badrinath shrine would get re-established.[11][18] When the chief Badrinath shrine is closed in winter, the priests of Badrinath shift to this temple and continue their worship to Badrinath here. Along with the central Narasimha image, the temple also has an image of Badrinath.[10]

Access

While some shrines are approached by motorable roads, others are approachable from the nearest road head by trekking, on the

Jolly Grant Airport close to Rishikesh, but 25 kilometres (16 mi) to Dehradun. Motorable road distance to the seven shrines from Rishikesh are: to Badrinath - 299 kilometres (186 mi); Yogdhyan Badri-277 km (172 mi), 23 kilometres (14 mi) short of Badrinath; Adi Badri - 200 kilometres (120 mi) up to Karnaprayag and a further deviation on the Ranikhet road for17 kilometres (11 mi) to reach the shrine; Dhyan Badri - 299 kilometres (186 mi) to Badrinath and a further trek of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) en route to Joshimath; Vriddha Badri - 7 km (4.3 mi) trek from Joshimath; Bhavishya Badri - 280 kilometres (170 mi) up to Siladhar by road and further trek of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the shrine.[19][20]

References

  1. ISBN 9788170225720. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  2. ^ a b c "Badrinath, Uttarakhand India". Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Kedarnath Temple Committee". Badrinath. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-81-7099-898-3
    .
  5. ^ a b "Badrinath". Chamoli District, National Informatic Centre. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  6. ^
    ISBN 9788175330818. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  7. ^
    ISBN 978-81-87967-72-9
    .
  8. ^ a b "Adi Badri". Chamoli District National Informatics Centre (NIC). Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Nigam, Devesh (2002). "Panch Badris". Tourism, environment, and development of Garhwal Himalaya. Mittal Publications. pp. 16–18.
  10. ^
    ISBN 978-81-223-0997-3
    .
  11. ^
    ISBN 9788185880167. Retrieved 2 August 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  12. ^ "VRIDDHA BADRI". Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: official site. 2006. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  13. ^ a b "BHAVISHYA BADRI". Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: official site. 2006. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  14. ^ "YOG DHYAN BADRI". Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: official site. 2006. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  15. ^ "Yogadhyan Badri". Chamoli District National Informatics Centre (NIC). Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  16. ^ a b c d "DHYAN BADRI, URGAM". Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: Official site. 2006. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  17. ISBN 978-81-7387-006-4
    .
  18. ^ a b "Narasingha temple". Chamoli District National Informatics Centre (NIC). Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  19. ^ "Dhyan badri". Badri Kedar Committee. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  20. ^ "Bhavishay Badri". Garhwal Tourism.com. Retrieved 31 July 2009.

External links

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