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Information
of Panch Badri
Vishal Badri
Also known as Vishal Badri, this temple located at a height of 3,133 nits. is the largest and most popular of the Vishnu pilgrimages among the five Badris. The original temple here is believed to be built by King Pururava and the icon of the lord carved by Vishwakarma, the creator of the gods. The idol was recovered by Adi Shankaracharya from the waters of the nearby Naradkund and consecrated once more in the temple, restored in the 19th century by the royal houses of Scindia and Holkar.
So holy is this shrine that it forms one of the four prominent places of Hindu worship. The epic Mahabharata, it is believed, was cornposed in the Vyas and Ganesh caves close by. The Vishnu Ganga which later becomes the Alaknanda flows below the temple while Neelkanth keeps vigil over all devotees. For visitors, the area is fascinating: across from the river is Mana, the last habitation before the border with China, and once a flourishing centre of Indo-Tibetan trade. The Vasudhara Falls are quite spectacular.
ADI BADRI
Another pilgrimage centre of local importance is this group of 16 temples enroute to Ranikhet and close to the confluence at Karan Prayag. The main temple is dedicated to Narayan and has a raised platform in the pyramidal form. Within the temple, a black stone idol is installed. It is believed that these temples, dating to the Gupta age, were sanctioned by Adi Shankaracharya who wanted to spread the tenets of Hinduism to every remote corner of the country.
Bhavishya Badri
The future Badri is located at 2,744 mts. amidst the thick forests surrounding Tapovan. According to a divination, it is here that all devotees will throng once Badrinath is no more. While there can be no conceivable reason why this should happen, scientists agree that Joshimath, the entry point into the area befare the final, most strenuous climb, is sited on an ancient landslide and has been sinking, and with a barrage coming up close by, may actually see the fulfillment of the divine prophecy.
But whatever happens, Bhavishya Badri is popular even now. Enshrined here is the lion-headed image of Narsingh. Visitors pass the serene Tapovan a place known for its hot water springs en route to the banks of the Dhauliganga, and on to the shrine.
Vridha Badri
Before Badrinath was designated one of the four Char Dhams of Hindu worship by Adi Shankaracharya, the idol of Badrinath carved by the divine Vishwakarma was enshrined and worshipped here. It is said that when mankind entered the age of Kali, Vishnu chose to remove himself from the temple.
Interestingly, the image was found by Adi Shankaracharya at Naradkund, and restored, though part of it remains damaged. This, the first badri, is located at a height of 1,380 mts. at Animath. While Badrinath closes during winter, the idol and priests hibernating at Joshimath, Vridha Badri remains open throughout the year.
Yogdhyan Badri
Every so often in the Garhwal Himalayas, tales from the Mahabharata spring magically to life. Yogdhyan Badri, 1,920 mts, is located at Pandukeshwar, named after the Pandvas King. It is said that the Pandavas, victorious after their battle against the Kauravas, but emotionally scarred, came to the Himalayas. And it was here that they handed over their capital, Hastinapur, to Raja Parikshit and took up penance before seeking out the highway to heaven. The importance of the badri is immense and the sanctum has an image of the lord in a meditative posture.
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