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Sometimes we forget that the best things are nearby and we search around the world to explore them. If you have not visited the Himalayas, then you are missing really something stupendous in your life....Enjoy the sound of the gushing ganges, the purity in the air, feel the pleasant climate and of all the bliss of solace......
Badrinath, one of the abode of Sriman Narayana is among the 108 Divya Desams ( Sacred Temples).
Its on the Himalayas and so its opened only during six months in a year. The rest of the six months its closed as its covered with snow. During this period people move to Joshimath, which is about 50 kms downhill.
The exact dates of temple operation may vary each year but the temples generally open around the end of April or starting of May.
Check on Offcial temple Website before you make the trip else you might me in for a suprise. We were gifted to visit the temple on the first day of the opening. Though its crowded on the first day
From Rishikesh we had hired a ambassador and it cost us around Rs.6000/- for the to and fro to Badri. It a 10 hours drive one way. Some of the beautiful scenaries await you in this journey. We started our journer early in the morning and the first sights were the tents for the adventure sports along the way. Rafting is one of the predominant sport you can witness.
There are five prayags on the way to Badri. Prayag is a place where more than one river unites(Sangam).The first Prayag was the Deo Prayag, which is the Sangam of Alakananda River from Badri and Bagirathi from Gaumaukh. From here only its called Ganga. On the way to Barinath there is a Garuda Gange Temple . A stone is taken from here and kept in the house so there will be no Serpa Dosham (Evils of Serpant )
Badrinath, one of the abode of Sriman Narayana is among the 108 Divya Desams ( Sacred Temples).
Its on the Himalayas and so its opened only during six months in a year. The rest of the six months its closed as its covered with snow. During this period people move to Joshimath, which is about 50 kms downhill.
The exact dates of temple operation may vary each year but the temples generally open around the end of April or starting of May.
Check on Offcial temple Website before you make the trip else you might me in for a suprise. We were gifted to visit the temple on the first day of the opening. Though its crowded on the first day
From Rishikesh we had hired a ambassador and it cost us around Rs.6000/- for the to and fro to Badri. It a 10 hours drive one way. Some of the beautiful scenaries await you in this journey. We started our journer early in the morning and the first sights were the tents for the adventure sports along the way. Rafting is one of the predominant sport you can witness.
There are five prayags on the way to Badri. Prayag is a place where more than one river unites(Sangam).The first Prayag was the Deo Prayag, which is the Sangam of Alakananda River from Badri and Bagirathi from Gaumaukh. From here only its called Ganga. On the way to Barinath there is a Garuda Gange Temple . A stone is taken from here and kept in the house so there will be no Serpa Dosham (Evils of Serpant )
Figure 1 : Deo Prayag
The seond prayag, Rudra Prayag is the Sangam of the mandakini and the Alaknanda rivers. It flows down as Alaknanda further down.
Figure 2 : Rudra Prayag
The third prayag is the Karna Prayag which is the Sangam of Alaknanda and the Pindari river. The Pindari river flows from the melting of the Pindar Glacier. From here is flows down as Alaknanda further down.
Figure 3: Karna Prayag
The fourth Prayag is the Nanda Prayag which is the Sangam of Alaknanda and the Nandakini rivers. Nandakini river flows from the glaciers in the Nanda devi Peak. They join together and flow down as Alaknanda further down.
Figure 4: Nanda Prayag
The fifth Prayag is the Vishnu Prayag which is the Sangam of the Alaknanda from Badrinath and the Dauliganga river. The flow down together as the Alaknanda river.
Figure 5: Vishnu Prayag
After the fourth Prayag we had to stay for the night at a place called Joshimath. Joshimath is one of the four mutts started by Sri Adi Sankaracharya in the 8th century. A suyambu (natural) Narasimhar was installed by the saint Sri Adi Sankaracharya in this place.
Figure 6 : Joshimath
Joshimath is about 50 kms from Badrinath and would be the night stop. During the 6 months when Badri is filled with the snow the pujas are done at Joshimath.
From Joshimath the traffic to Badri is one way. In the morning from 6 am to 9 am its from the Badri downward. So after 9 am you can begin your journey upward to Badrinath. The climate is very cold here and in Badri. It is advisable to take your wollens as in Badri heater facility cannot be expected.
If you have the time, one place that you should not miss on the way from Joshimath to Badri is the Valley of flowers. Its a trek of around 11 kms from GobindGhat which is a 10 km drive from Joshimath. Valley of flowers is splashed with colour as it bloomed with hundreds different beautiful flowers, taking on various shades of colours as time progressed.
Then you land in Badrinath say around 12 pm Day 2 of your journey. First is to set your accomodation for the night stay.
From the Badrinath, there is the Neelkanth Peak right before your eyes covered with snow.
Figure 7: Neelkanth Peak - During noon and at first sunrays in the morning
Three kilometers from Badrinath is the mana village. The mana village has the Vyas Gufa and the Ganesh Gufa (Gufa - cave). These are supposed to be the places where Vyas and Ganesh had meditated.
Figure 8 : Ganesh Gufa and Vyas Gufa
It is also said that there are sadhus living four years in the mana village who donot come out of the caves even during the winter. You can see the India China border from the Mana village. It a high alert area and you can see the Indian Army all around these places.
Donot forget to have a cup of Tea in the "India's Last Tes Shop" or should i say the First Tea Shop? Other mountain here is the Kuber peak, Kuber the God of money.
Figure 11 : India's Last Tea Shop Figure 12 : Kuber Peak
One more amazing visual treat is the Tapt Kund in Badrinath. Its a hot water spring just next to the freezing Alaknanda. What more to say of this beauty!
Day 2 evening you can have the darshan of Sriman Narayana at Badri. The main shrine area houses the black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan, sitting under a gold canopy, under a Badri Tree. There are fifteen more murtis around the temple that are also worshipped. These include murtis of Nara & Narayana, Narasimha (the fourth incarnation of Vishnu), Lakshmi, Narada, Ganesha, Uddhava, Kubera, Garuda (the vehicle of Lord Narayan), and Navadurga.Hard sugar candy, Tulsi, and dry fruits are the typical prasad offered at Badrinath temple.
The Holy Shirne of Badri Narayana :
Day 3 morning you can have one more Darshan of Badri Vishal and head down before 8 am else you need to wait until 12 pm as the traffic is one way from Joshimath to Badrinath.
A wonder ful place, Jai Badri Vishal ki Jai !