Shri Badrinath ji

            Shri Badrinath ji is one of the Char dhams of India and also Uttarakhand. The Badrinath temple is located in the district Chamoli of Uttarakhand. The distance of Badrinath is around 298 km from Rishikesh. Rishikesh is 225 km from New Delhi. The valley where Badrinath is located is surrounded by Nar and Narain mountains. The Badrinath temple is in the lap of Narain mountain with Neelkanth in background. The main gate entrance of the temple is called Singhdwar. The temple has two parts, one garbhgriha and another mandapam. Garbhgriha is the place where deity is seated whereas mandapam is the place where pilgrims assemble.  From mandapam, puja is performed. There is a special small square reserved for Abhishekh puja and for this puja a prior booking is must. Abhishekh puja is early morning puja.

                

             Shri Badrinath dham is popular since ages and finds mention in vedic texts. It is said that the dham was brought back to its ancient Hindu glory from Buddhist influence by Adi Shankaracharya. In Skand puarana, it is described that after heavenly orders, Sri Adi Shankar recovered the Vishnu idol from Narad kund which he duly enshrined and once again Badrinath ji became a Hindu temple.

               

             It is assumed that the Adi Shankar achieved enlightenment in Jyothirmath (now Joshimath) in the form of divine light, the Jyoti. Is the place Ashtakhand is Jyothirmath and the divine light was received at Ashta Khand ? Well , the subject is historical and we can only guess.

               

                It is believed that Badrinath had some Buddhist religion influence due to the posture of idol which is padamasan and other certain associated facts related to Buddhism. Later, it was Hindu renaissance which brought Badrinath back to its original Hindu religion.

               The pujas start getting performed from early morning. Every Puja must be preceded by “holy dip” in the Tapta kund. Following are the some of the special morning pujas:

·         Abhishekh  

·         Geeta path

·         Srimadbhagwat

·         Mahabhishekh

Following are the evening pujas:

·         Aarti

·         Geet govind

            The above pujas should be booked in advance.  The timing of the darshan at the temple are as follows:

·         From 4:30 AM with Shubh Prabhatam till 1:00 PM

·         From 4:00 PM till 9:00 PM closing with the divine song “Geet Govind”.

Sometimes the time between 1:00 PM to 4:00 Pm is reduced to ease the rush of devotees for Darshan.

For more please visit :Jai Badri Vishal