Monday, April 7, 2008

THE BADRINATH


BADRINATH is a pious place in chamoli district, in uttrakhand, its one of the femous and most CHAR DHAM pilgrimage. situated in left bank of ALAKNANDA river, and between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges, Badrinath is located 301km from rishikeh.
Badrinath was established by aadi shankaracharya in the ninth century. we can see about the Badrinath in SRIMAD BHAGWAT(3.4.22), its describes "there is a badrika asharam of supreme of the GOD (VISHNU).
Jagadguru Shankaracharya saw a stone in the Alaknanda river that was made by Saligram(black stone), he saw badri narayuan's statue in that stone, he took that stone(nurty) to a cave that is in tapt kund, than garwal's king expended the tample and place the mury there in 17th century. in the 1803's himalayan earthquake it was rebuilt by jaipur's king again.
The temple is approximately meters tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof.The facade is built of stone, with arched windows. A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist temple, with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhist temples. Just inside is the mandapa, a large pillared hall that leads to the garbha garha , or main shrine area. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carvings.

There is a mythological legend, according that, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore the mighty Ganaga was split into twelve holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu .

one another Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to the area, called ‘Badri Van’, or the berry garden, to meditate after Narad rebuked the Lord for being immersed in worldly pleasures. The main deity is a meditating Lord Vishnu.

The temple of Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda river. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts., the present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya- an 9th century's he was a philosopher-saint, who also established a 'math' here. Also known as 'Vishal Badri', Badrinath is one of the Panch Badris, situated in uttrakhand.
According to the skanda purana "There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell; but there is no shrine like Badrinath."

There are five other BADRIES known as PANCH-BADRI:-
  • Yogadhyan Badri (1920 m.)
  • Bhavishya Badri (2,744 m.)
  • Bridha Badri or the 'Old Badri'
  • Adi Badri
and fifth one is BADRINATH itself


The main sanctum comprise of the:-

* Swambhoo Saligram Shila (self originated black granite) idol of Lord Vishnu (also known as Lord Badrivishal) the only of its type,sitting in padmasan posture,is prayed since time immortel here.

* Idols Nara and Narayana the 9th twin incarnation of Lord Vishnu,the preachers of Sanatan Dharma in which Sri Narayana is in meditating posture and Sri Nara standing with his bows and arrows in his hands continuing their meditation for one Kalpam(1000 Chatur Yugas)

* Kubera the treasurer of Lord,the preserver of all worldly wealths and the king of Yakhsas.Who owns Alkapuri,the land of wealth and the first space chariot namely Puspaka.

* Garuda, the carrier of Lord.

* Udhava,the only surviving Yadava, the companion of Lord Krishna, the minister of Vrishni Dynasty,the only disciple of Brahaspathya the Lord of justice,the great intellectual who was been directed to reside at Sri Badrinath in his ever presence by Lord Krishna.

* And the Saint Narada,the priest of the Lord for winters,are been prayed here.

* Sri Mahalaxmi the goddess of prosperity,has her shrine in the temple premises,who is cosidered at the service of the Lord and cooking his food.

*Ghantakarn,the kshetrapal,the protector of Badrinath.

* Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman have also had their shirnes in the temple surroundings.

The present pooja system at Sri Badrinath was organised by jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya during his pilgrimage about 1200 years back.He has also deployed various right holders and chief priest from Kerala Namboodri families known as His Holyness the rawal of Sri Badrinath.Since this landscape of Badri belongs to their Kingdom,the temple was managed by the King of Tehri. In the year 1939 the administration was handed over to the interim government.

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