The Badrinarayan Temple, popularly known as Badrinath Temple, is located on the right bank of the revered River Alakananda, at a distance of 1 kilometre from Badrinath Bus Stand. It is regarded as the holiest of the 108 Divya Desams and the Char Dhams. One of the most significant pilgrimages for Hindus is the Chota Char Dham, which includes Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath.
Lord Vishnu, also known as Sri Badrinath, is the centre of the temple’s devotion. The Badrinath temple is said to have existed throughout the Vedic period. However, it is said that Adi Shankaracharya, a saint and philosopher, founded the current temple in the eighth century. A Saligram idol of Lord Badrinarayan that was submerged in the River Alakananda was found by Adi Shankara. This idol was placed by him in a cave close to Tapt Kund. Later, in the 16th century, the King of Garhwal moved it to the present-day temple.
The temple boasts a 50-foot-tall tower and a vibrant main entryway called the Singhdwar. The Garbhagriha, Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap are the three divisions of the temple. The Garbhagriha has the idols of Lord Badrinarayan and other gods. The Lord Badrinarayan statue is built of black stone and is around 3.3 feet tall(Saligram stone). According to mythology, Vishnu appears in the picture in the twin forms of Nara and Narayan.
Every year, Badrinath has around six months of snowfall. On the auspicious day of Vijayadasami in October or November, the temple closes for the winter. On the day of closure, a lamp that will burn for six months is lit. It is Akhanda Jyothi. During this time, the Badrinath idol is moved to the Joshimath Narasimha Temple. On Vasant Panchami, in April or May, the temple reopens.
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