Badrinath

Badrinath situated at an elevation of 3,133 mts above sea level,located on the right bank of River Alaknanda, is a templetown that evokes the most intense religious feelings. Badrinath is one of the four Dhams that a Hindu devotee has to visit in his lifetime to attain salvation. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is said to have done penance in the mythical forest that once covered the mountains of Uttarakhand

The temple remains closed during the winter season and is open from April- May to October- November.

Another pilgrimage centre of importance is this group of 6 temples enroute to Ranikhet and close to the confluence at Karanprayag. The main temple is dedicated to Narayan and has a raised platfrom in the pyramidical form. Within the temple , a black stone idol is installed. It believed that these temples, dating to the Gupta age, were sanctioned by Adi Shankaracharya who wanted to spread the tenets of Himduism to every corner of the country.

Badri 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. the first Badri, is located at a height of 1,380 mts. at Animath.

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 are before the final, most strenuous climb, is sited on an amcient lanslide and has been sinking, and with a barrage coming up close by, and actually see the fulfilment of the divine prophecy.

Every so often in the Garhwal Himalayas, tales from the Mahabharata spring magically of life. Yogdhyan Badri, 1,920 mts. is located at Pandva's king. It is said that the Pandavas, victorious after their battle against the Kauravas, But emotionally scarred, come to the Himalayas.