Yogdhyan Badri in Uttarakhand

Yogdhyan Badri is located at Pandukeshwar near Govind ghat at an altitude of 1829 metres in Chamoli, Uttarakhand.   Yogdhyan Badri is one of the Sapt Badri temples. The religious texts tell that king Pandu worshipped here to get rid him from the sin of killing of two mating deer, these two deer were ascetics in their previous lives.

The king Pandu died here and also attained salvation here. The Pandavas were also born here, so this place is very special in terms of religious point of view. The king Pandu installed here a bronze image of Vishnu in meditating posture and thus the image is called Yogdhyan Badri. This idol is life size and has been carved out of Shaligram stone.

Pandavas had fought the fight against Kauravas which is known as Mahabharat. After defeating the Kauravas, the Pandavas came to this place for penance as they had killed their cousins. From here, the Pandavas had gone further to Swargarohini. The Pandavas after defeating the Kauravas handed the Hastinapur kingdom to their grandson Parikshit and left for Himalaya.

This place has been identified as Panchal Desh as per a copper plate inscription under the rule by early Katyuri Rajas. Another historical location near is Suryakund where Kunti gave the birth to her son Karna fathered by sun god Surya. The Suryakund is a hot water spring. Kunti had got married to Pandu at Pandukeshwar.

It is said that King Arjun also did meditate here which attracted god Indra. God Indra sent Pari (angel) to distract Arjun but nothing happened and at last Indra god blessed Arjun. This is believed that the Vishnu idol which is present at the temple is the gift given by Indra to Arjun.

There are three idols installed those of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Laxmi and Madri. These three idols are installed above a shivling inside the temple.

Yogdhyan is also considered the winter seat for Badrinath Utsava-murti (festival image). Hence the pilgrimage is not complete without offering prayers at this place.

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