Pilgrimages of India
Madurai - 1976 Badrinath - 1979 Calcutta - 1982
   
  
 
At the age of 24 years I had decided to go to Badrinath which was not permitted by my family as none of our family members for the last four generations could ever make it to Badrinath. It was too much of stress but then ultimately I convinced my parents and proceeded to Delhi. I took the Gharwal package to Badrinath in the last week of October. When we reached Rishikesh I was informed that the trip was cancelled as the temple closing time had come and there was too much of snowfall. I was disappointed and thought the tradition is again happening I was too ashamed to go back to Bombay unsuccessful so I convinced the Gharwal Tourist office people to please help me - help came in a form of 2 couples who like me had ventured to come to Badrinath. The Manager got a taxi for us and thus the five of us left - the miracle God took me in the luxury of a taxi instead of the bus-fare that I had paid. Braving the cold and taking the Lord's name I had the first darshan of Badrinath with the help of military as Badrinath was closing for the winter. I have visited Badrinath more than 3 times and the Pandas there know me as all are aware of this episode and remember me as the bold girl to come from Bombay against all odds to have the Divine Darshan of Badri.
- RANI JAVA  

 
   
Badrinath Srinagar

 
Badrinath Temple
Cradled in the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan with the splendid Neelkanth peak as the enchanting backdrop, is located the holiest of all the Hindu pilgrimages, Badrinath at an altitude of 3133 meters above sea level. Badrinath is named thus as it was once carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries. When river Ganges was requested to descend to earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth was too feeble to bear the force of the descent. Hence the mighty river was split into 12 channels, one of them being Alakananda, which later became the abode of Vishnu or Badrinath.

Badrinath Temple

The present temple was built about 2 centuries ago by the kings of Gharwal. The principal idol of the temple is black stone and represents Vishnu seated in a meditative pose, and flanked by Nar-Narayan. Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri and is one of the Panch Badris. The rawal or the chief priest of the temple is a Namboodripad from Kerala. The temple is divided into three parts - the 'garbha graha' or sanctum sanctorum, the 'darshan mandap' where the rituals are conducted and the 'sabha mandap' where devotees assemble.

Tapt Kund
The famous thermal springs, rich in sulphur, are just below the temple. A dip in the 'Tapt Kund' is considered holy and refreshing to the body as well as the soul and is supposed to cure many ailments.

NeelkanthNeelkanth
Popularly known as Gharwal Queen, this majestic peak of the Himalayas, towering to 6600 meters presents the most dramatic sight of Badrinath

Sheshnetra
Better known as Sheshnag's eye. It is a boulder having the impression of the legendary snake 'sheshnag'.

Badrinath

Charanpaduka
The footprints of Vishnu can be seen here on the boulder.

Mata Murti Mandir
About 3 kms from Badrinath on the Right Bank of the river stands the temple dedicated to the mother of Shri Badrinathji.

Mana Village
Inhabited by an Indo-Mangolian tribe is 4 kms from Badrinath. It is the last Indian village before Tibet on this route. The Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasundhara Falls are in the vicinity.

Govind Ghat, Ghangaria (24 km)
The base camp trek to Valley of flowers and the famous Hemkhund from Ghangaria.

Enroute to Badrinath from Rishikesh we pass through the following PRAYAGS.

Deoprayag
70 kms from Rishikesh - the confluence of the rivers Bhagirathi from Gaumukh and the river Alakananda, this is an important pilgrim spot with its famous Shiv and Raghunath Temples.
 
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