Kamal Guha: Uttarakhand Hindu temples template added

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Uttarakhand Hindu temples template added

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	{{Uttarakhand}}		{{Uttarakhand}}
			{{Hindu Temples in Uttarakhand}}

	[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]		[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]

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{{distinguish | Adi Badri, Haryana}}
{{short description|Group of seven Hindu temples of Vishnu in Uttarakhand, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Sapta Badri
| image = Badrinath temple.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Badrinath temple, chief of the Sapta Badri
| map_type =
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|30|44|40.9|N|79|25|22.49|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_label =
| other_names =
| native_name =
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Uttarakhand]]
| district =
| location =
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Vishnu]]
| festivals =
| architecture = North Indian architecture
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = Unknown
| creator = [[Adi Shankara]]charya
| website =
}}
'''Sapta Badri''' constitutes a group of seven sacred [[Hindu temple]]s, dedicated to god [[Vishnu]], located in [[Garhwal Himalaya|Garhwal]] [[Himalayas]] in the [[Indian state]] of [[Uttarakhand]]. The [[Badrinath temple]], called the Badri Vishal (altitude {{convert|3133|m|ft|abbr=on}}) is the primary temple among the seven shrines. The other six being [[Adi Badri (Uttarakhand)|Adi Badri]], Bhavishya Badri, Yogadhayan Badri, Vriddha Badri, Ardha Badri and Dhyan Badri. The '''Panch Badri''' temple circuit consisted of only five temples, omitting Ardha Badri and usually Dhyan Badri (or sometimes Vriddha Badri). Rarely, Narasingh Badri, is included in the Sapta Badri or Panch Badri list.

The abode of Vishnu in the [[Alaknanda]] river valley, starting from Satapanth about {{convert|24|km|mi}} above Badrinath extending up to [[Nandprayag]] in the south, is particularly known as the ''Badri Kshetra'' in which all the Badri temples are located.<ref name=agarwal>{{Cite book|last=Agarwal|first=J.C|author2=Shanti Swarup Gupta |title= Uttarakhand|work=Chamoli district|page=222|publisher= Concept Publishing Company|year=1995|isbn=9788170225720}}</ref> Since the early times, approach to the main temple of Badrinath was only along a bridle path passing through ''badri van'' or (forest of berries). Thus, the word "Badri", meaning "berries", is suffixed to the names of all the Sapta Badri (seven) temples.<ref name=char/>

The main shrine of Badrinath is well connected by road and air but is closed during the winter season due to snow conditions, from October–November to April–May depending on the astrological dates fixed by the Temple Committee; the Raj Purohit (Royal priest) decides the auspicious day for opening the temple ''kapat'' (doors) on [[Vasant Panchami]] day in end of April/early May while the closing day is [[Vijayadashami]] day in October/November. The other six temples are located in villages, largely in remote locations. A few of them can be approached only by trekking along bridle paths.<ref name=char>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chardhamyatra.org/badrinath/|title= Badrinath, Uttarakhand India|accessdate=22 July 2009}}</ref><ref name=badri>{{Cite web|url=http://www.badarikedar.org/badrinath.aspx|publisher=Badrinath|title=Kedarnath Temple Committee|accessdate=22 July 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214005611/http://badarikedar.org/badrinath.aspx|archivedate=14 December 2013}}</ref>

==Badrinath==
{{main|Badrinath Temple}}
[[File:Badrinath Temple Entrance.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Badrivishal of Sapta Badri]]
Badrinath is the northern ''Dham'' of the four sacred ''Dhams'' (pilgrimage centres) called [[Char Dham]]. Though the Badrinath temple is believed to date to the [[Vedic period]], the current structure was built in the 8th century AD by [[Adi Shankara]]charya.<ref name="sati"/> The other three dhams are [[Rameshwaram]] in the south, [[Dwarka]] in the west and [[Jagannath Puri]] in the east; all of these four temples are dedicated to god Vishnu. Adi Shankara's basic intention was to unite the country under the banner of Hinduism. The temple, which had been subjected to damage due to snow avalanches and landslides, several times in the past, was last restored in the 19th century with the royal patronage of the [[Scindia]]s and [[Holkars]].<ref name=badri/> Badrinath is also part of [[Chota Char Dham]], four sacred temples in Uttarakhand. The others include the Shiva temple of [[Kedarnath]] and the sources of the holy rivers [[Ganges]] and [[Yamuna]].

The Badrinath legend states that Vishnu ([[Mahavishnu]]) in his incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, did penance in an open space at the location of the Badrikashram or [[Badrinath]]. His consort [[Lakshmi]] (Maha-lakshmi) created shelter for him in the form of Badri tree ([[berry]] tree) to protect him from adverse climatic conditions. The sage [[Narada]] did penance here, and is believed to continue to do so to this day by reciting the divine chants called Ashta Akshara [[mantra]]s (eight lettered mantra, i.e., ''Om Namo Narayanaye''). Narada was also informed by Vishnu that his divine form subsumed both [[Nara and Narayana]].<ref name=char/><ref name=badri/>

According to the scripture [[Bhagavata Purana]], "There in Badrikashram (Badrinath) the Personality of Godhead (Vishnu), in his incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, had been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the welfare of all living entities." (3.4.22)

The layout of the temple has three enclosures namely, the [[Garbhagriha]] (Sanctum Sanctorum), the Darshan [[Mandapa|Mandap]] (worship hall) and Sabha Mandap (Conference hall). The sanctum holds the central image of Badri-narayana (Vishnu), which is made in black stone and {{convert|1|m|ft}} in height. The four-armed Vishnu holds the [[Shankh]] (Conch) and [[Sudarshana Chakra]] (discus) in two arms in a raised posture and the other two arms rest on the lap in Yogamudra (meditative pose). The
images of religious leaders [[Adi Shankara]], Swami [[Vedanta Desikan]] and [[Ramanujacharya]] are also worshipped here.<ref name=chamoli>{{Cite web|url=http://chamoli.nic.in/Badrinath.htm|title= Badrinath|accessdate=1 August 2009|publisher= Chamoli District, National Informatic Centre}}</ref>

In the sanctum, to the far right side are Nara and Narayana. Narada is kneeling in front on the right side and is difficult to see. On the left side is [[Kubera]], the god of wealth. [[Garuda]], Vishnu's vehicle is kneeling in front, to the left of Badri-narayana. Wings at the entrance are adorned with images of [[Hanuman]], and a silver [[Ganesha]], god of wisdom. In the enclosure (''prakara'') surrounding the temple, a small shrine is dedicated to Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort.<ref name=chamoli/> [[Nambudiri]] Brahmins from southern state of [[Kerala]] serve as head priests here.<ref name="capil">{{Cite book |last=Jha|first= Makhan |title=India and Nepal |work= Sacred Complex in Garhwal Himalayas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Jk6oE4sh18C&q=adi+badri&pg=PA139 |page=143 |publisher= M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd |year=1998 |isbn= 9788175330818}}</ref>

==Adi Badri==
[[File:Adi Badri.jpg|thumb|Adi Badri complex of temples near [[Karnaprayag]]]]
[[File:Chandpur_Garhi_Ruins.jpg|thumb|Chandpur Garhi Fort, temple is 3km from it.]]
The Adi Badri ({{coord|30|27|27|N|77|20|28|E|}}) the first temple complex among the Sapta Badri temples is an ancient shrine dedicated to Vishnu and is one among a chain of 16 small shrines located in the hill ranges {{convert|17|km|mi}}, beyond [[Karnaprayag]] (confluence of Pindar River and [[Alaknanda River]] in [[Chamoli district]]. Seven temples of this chain were built during the late [[Gupta]] period (5th century to 8th century).<ref name="bansal">{{cite book|last=Bansal|first=Sunita Pant|title= Hindu Gods and Goddesses|publisher=Smriti Books|year=2005|page=35|chapter=Badrinath|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xhrnkdByWDIC&q=panch+badri&pg=PA35 | isbn=978-81-87967-72-9}}</ref> According to tradition, Adi Shankara is attributed as builder of all the temples.<ref name="bansal"/> Adi Shankara is believed to have sanctioned these temples in order to spread Hinduism to every remote part of the country.<ref name="sati">{{cite book|last=Sati |first=Vishwambhar Prasad |author2=Kumar, Kamlesh |title=Uttaranchal: Dilemma Of Plenties And Scarcities |publisher=Mittal Publications|year=2004|pages=204–6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ct6YMRvYJQ4C&q=panch+badri&pg=PA23 | isbn=978-81-7099-898-3}}</ref> In ancient times, when approach to the main shrine of Badrinath was closed due to weather conditions, pilgrims worshipped Vishnu at this temple.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} Adi Badri, also known as Helisera according to revenue records, is a tiny temple complex enclosed within a space of {{convert|14|m|ft}} X {{convert|30|m|ft}}. The height of the temples vary from {{convert|2|-|6|m|ft}}. The chief temple is dedicated to god Vishnu, which is built over a raised platform, with a small enclosure in a pyramidal form. The sanctum holds black stone {{convert|1|m|ft}} image of Vishnu.<ref name="bansal"/><ref name=Adiba>{{Cite web|url=http://chamoli.nic.in/adibadri.htm|title=Adi Badri|accessdate=1 August 2009|publisher= Chamoli District National Informatics Centre (NIC)}}</ref><ref name="nigam"/> The image depicts Vishnu holding a mace, lotus and [[Sudarshana|chakra]] (discus).<ref name="bansal1">{{cite book|last=Bansal|first=Sunita Pant|title=Hindu Pilgrimage|publisher=Pustak Maha|year=2008|pages=15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F303Zb7EC0kC&q=barinath | isbn=978-81-223-0997-3}}</ref><ref name=Kapoor>{{Cite book|last=Kapoor|first=A.S|author2=A. K. Kapoor |author3=Satwanti Kapoor |title= Ecology and man in the Himalayas|work= Religious configuration of Uttarakhand|page=237|accessdate=2 August 2009|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rpza8aMabr4C&q=Panch+Prayag&pg=PA237|publisher= M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|year= 1994|isbn=9788185880167}}</ref> [[Brahmins]] from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.<ref name ="capil"/>

Adi Badri is located {{convert|3|km|mi}} from Chandpur fort or Garhi located on the hilltop, which was built by the [[Parmar]] kings of garhwal. Adi Badri is an hour's drive from Karnaprayag and close to Chulakot on the way to [[Ranikhet]].<ref name=Adiba/><ref name="nigam">{{cite book|last=Nigam|first=Devesh|title=Tourism, environment, and development of Garhwal Himalaya|publisher=Mittal Publications|year=2002|pages=16–18|chapter=Panch Badris}}</ref> On shifting of Badrinath (also known as Raj Badri) to Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri will be called the Yog Badri.<ref name=Kapoor/>

==Vriddha Badri==
Vriddha Badri or Briddha Badri - an austere shrine, is located in the Animath village ( {{convert|1380|m|ft|abbr=on}}, above sea level) {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}}, from [[Joshimath]] on the [[Rishikesh]]–Joshimath-Badrinath road.<ref name="sati"/> The Vriddha Badri legend says that Vishnu appeared in the form of a ''Vriddha'' or old man before sage Narada who performed [[penance]] here. Thus, the idol installed at this temple is in the form of an old man.<ref name=badri/>

According to legend, the image of Badrinath was carved by the divine craftsman [[Vishwakarma]] and worshipped here. At the advent of [[Kali yuga]], Vishnu chose to remove himself from this place, later Adi Shankara found the partly damaged image in Narad-kund pond and established it at the central Badrinath shrine.<ref name="sati"/><ref name="vriddha">{{cite web|url=http://www.badarikedar.org/content-badari.aspx?id=27|title=VRIDDHA BADRI|year=2006|publisher=Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: official site|accessdate=30 July 2009}}</ref> According to legend, Badrinath was worshipped here by Adi Shankara, before his enshrinement at the Badrinath temple. The temple is open throughout the year.<ref name = "bansal"/> Brahmins from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.<ref name =capil/>

==Bhavishya Badri==
Bhavishya Badri, also spelt as Bhabisya Badri, {{convert|2744|m|ft}}, above sea level)<ref name="sati"/> is located in a village called Subhain at a distance of {{convert|17|km|mi}} from Joshimath, beyond [[Tapovan]] and approach is through dense forest, only by trekking. It is situated on an ancient pilgrim route to [[Mount Kailash]] and [[Manasarovar]], along the Dhauli Ganges River.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} It is situated on the way from Tapovan to Lata in the [[Niti Valley]].<ref name="nigam"/> Bhavishya Badri is connected by a motorable road to Saldhar,{{convert|19|km|mi}}, from Joshimath, beyond which a {{convert|6|km|mi}} trek is undertaken to reach the shrine.<ref name="sati"/><ref name="bhavishya">{{cite web|url=http://www.badarikedar.org/content-badari.aspx?id=26|title=BHAVISHYA BADRI |year=2006|publisher=Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: official site|accessdate=30 July 2009}}</ref>

According to the legend of Bhavishya Badri (literally "Badri of the future"), when evil transcends the world, the mountains of Nara and Narayana would block up the route to Badrinath and the sacred shrine would become inaccessible. The present world will be destroyed and a new one established. Then, Badrinath will appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here, instead of the Badrinath shrine.<ref name = "bansal"/> The shrine of Narasingh Badri at [[Joshimath]] is closely associated with the legend of Bhavishya Badri (see section below). Currently, the Bhavishya Badri has an image of [[Narasimha]], the lion-faced incarnation and one of the [[Dashavatar|ten avatars of Vishnu]].<ref name="sati"/><ref name="bhavishya"/>

==Yogadhyan Badri==

Yogadhyan Badri, also called Yoga Badri, is located at Pandukeshwar ({{coord|30|38|2|N|79|32|51|E|}}) at the elevation of {{convert|1829|m|ft}}, close to Govind Ghat and is as ancient as the main Badrinath temple.<ref name="nigam"/> Pandukeshwar is located en route from Govind Ghat to Hanuman Chatti, {{convert|9|km|mi}} away from Hanuman Chatti.<ref name="nigam"/> Legend has it that King [[Pandu]], father of the five [[Pandavas]] - heroes of the Hindu epic [[Mahabharata]], meditated here to god Vishnu to cleanse him of the sin of killing of two mating deer, who were ascetics in their previous lives. The Pandavas were also born here and Pandu died and attained [[Moksha|salvation]] here.<ref name = "bansal"/> Pandu is believed to have installed the bronze image of Vishnu in the Yogadhyan Badri shrine.<ref name = "bansal"/> The image is in a meditative posture and thus the image is called [[Yoga]]-[[dhyan]] (mediative) Badri. The idol is life size and has been carved from [[Shaligram]] stone. According to legend, the Pandavas, after defeating and killing their cousins [[Kauravas]] in the [[Mahabharata war]], came here to repent. They handed their kingdom of [[Hastinapur]] to their grandson [[Parikshit]] and went to perform penance in the Himalayas.<ref name=Kapoor/><ref name="yog dhyan">{{cite web|url=http://www.badarikedar.org/content-badari.aspx?id=28|title=YOG DHYAN BADRI|year=2006|publisher=Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: official site|accessdate=30 July 2009}}</ref>

Copper plate inscriptions found here indicate rule by early Katyuri Rajas and the region was known as Panchal Desh, now officially designated as Uttarakhand. One inscription extols the grant of land given by King Nimbarana. Another historic location is the Suryakund, on top of Milam glacier, which is a hot water spring, where [[Kunti]] - mother of Pandavas gave birth to her illegitimate son [[Karna]], fathered by the sun-god [[Surya]]. Kunti was married to Pandu at Pandukeshwar.<ref name=Kapoor/><ref name= "yogdhan">{{Cite web|url=http://chamoli.nic.in/yogdhyan.htm|title=Yogadhyan Badri|accessdate=1 August 2009|publisher= Chamoli District National Informatics Centre (NIC)}}</ref>

Yogdhyan Badri is also considered the winter abode for the Utsava-murti (festival-image) of Badrinath, when the temple of Badrinath is closed.<ref name = "bansal1"/> Hence, it is religiously ordained that a pilgrimage will not be complete without offering prayers at this place.<ref name=Kapoor/> [[Bhatt]]s (priests) from South India serve as chief priests in the temple.<ref name =capil/>

==Dhyan Badri==
Dhyan Badri ({{convert|2135|m|ft}}, above sea level)<ref name="urgam">{{cite web|url=http://www.badarikedar.org/content-badari.aspx?id=25|title=DHYAN BADRI, URGAM|year=2006|publisher=Shri Badrinath - Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee: Official site|accessdate=30 July 2009}}</ref> is located in the Urgam valley, close to Kalpeshwar ({{coord|30|25|44|N|79|25|37|E|}}) on the banks of river Kalpa Ganga. It can be reached from [[Helang]] Chatti which is situated on the NH7 (Chamoli - Joshimath road) & then further drive down to Urgam, Lyari & Devagram followed by a {{convert|3|km|mi}} trek.<ref name="nigam"/><ref name="urgam"/> The legend of Dhyan Badri (meditating Badri) is linked to the Urvarishi, son of King Puranjaya of the [[Pandavas]] lineage who meditated in the Urgam region and established the temple for Vishnu.<ref name=badri/> The image of Vishnu is four-armed, made of black stone and in a meditative posture.<ref name="urgam"/> There is also a temple to god [[Shiva]] built by Adi Shankara.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} [[Kalpeshwar]], one of the [[Panch Kedar]] sacred temple of Shiva, is situated {{convert|2|km|mi}}, away.<ref name="urgam"/> The temple is sometimes included in the Panch-Badri list.<ref name = "nigam"/> Brahmins from South India serve as head priests in the temple.<ref name =capil/>

==Ardha Badri==
Ardha Badri, located on the Joshimath-Tapovan road is in a remote village and can be approached only by trekking along a steep bridle path. As the size of the idol is small, the temple is called Ardha Badri (literal meaning half Badri).{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

==Narasingh Badri==
The existing temple of [[Narasimha]] (Narasingh) at [[Joshimath]] ({{coord|30|33|3|N|79|33|30|E|}}), also called as Narasingh Badri or Narasimha Badri, is closely linked to the Bhavishya Badri legend, even though usually it is regarded as not one of the famous Panch Badri or Sapta Badri. Sometimes, it may be included in the Sapta-Badri list instead of Ardha-Badri or Panch-Badri list instead of Dhyan Badri.<ref name = "nigam"/>
<ref>{{cite book|last=Bisht|first=Harshwanti|title=Tourism in Garhwal Himalaya|publisher=Indus Publishing.|year=1994|pages=83|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6C6DGU73WzsC&q=panch+badri&pg=PA81 | isbn=978-81-7387-006-4}}</ref>

The chief image of Narasimha is made out of the [[Shaligram]] stone, in the eighth century during the reign of king Lalitaditya Yukta Pida of [[Kashmir]]. Some believe the image is self-manifested ([[swayambhu]]). The image is {{convert|10|in|cm}} high and depicts the god sitting in the lotus position.<ref name = "bansal1"/><ref name=nara>{{Cite web|url=http://chamoli.nic.in/Narasingha.htm|title=Narasingha temple|accessdate=1 August 2009|publisher= Chamoli District National Informatics Centre (NIC)}}</ref>

It is believed that one arm of the image is getting emaciated with time and finally fall off. When the arm disappears, the main shrine of Badrinath will be closed to the world and Lord Badrinath will shift to Bhavishya Badri shrine. With this cataclysmic event, [[Kali yuga]] will end ushering in the [[Satya yuga]]. Then the Badrinath shrine would get re-established.<ref name="Kapoor"/><ref name=nara/> When the chief Badrinath shrine is closed in winter, the priests of Badrinath shift to this temple and continue their worship to Badrinath here. Along with the central Narasimha image, the temple also has an image of Badrinath.<ref name = "bansal1"/>

==Access==
While some shrines are approached by motorable roads, others are approachable from the nearest road head by trekking, on the [[Rishikesh]]-[[Badrinath]] main State Highway. The nearest airport to the Sapta Badri is [[Jolly Grant Airport]] close to Rishikesh, but {{convert|25|km|mi}} to [[Dehradun]]. Motorable road distance to the seven shrines from Rishikesh are: to Badrinath - {{convert|299|km|mi}}; Yogdhyan Badri-{{convert|277|km|mi|abbr=on}}, {{convert|23|km|mi}} short of Badrinath; Adi Badri - {{convert|200|km|mi}} up to Karnaprayag and a further deviation on the Ranikhet road for{{convert|17|km|mi}} to reach the shrine; Dhyan Badri - {{convert|299|km|mi}} to Badrinath and a further trek of {{convert|12|km|mi}} en route to Joshimath; Vriddha Badri - {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} trek from Joshimath; Bhavishya Badri - {{convert|280|km|mi}} up to Siladhar by road and further trek of {{convert|6|km|mi}} to the shrine.<ref name=Dhyan>{{Cite web|url=http://www.badrikedar.com/temple/DhyanBadri.html |title=Dhyan badri|accessdate=31 July 2009|publisher=Badri Kedar Committee}}</ref><ref name=Bhav>{{Cite web|url=http://www.garhwaltourism.com/panch-badri/bhavishyabadri.asp|title=Bhavishay Badri|accessdate=31 July 2009|publisher=Garhwal Tourism.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}<small>21. [https://www.boringworld.org/2021/08/panch-badri-yatra.html Panch Badri]</small>{{Famous Vishnu temples}}

{{Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Chamoli]]
[[Category:Char Dham temples]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples]]

Sapta Badri - Revision history

Kamal Guha: Uttarakhand Hindu temples template added

imported>Karan negiiiii: Added Link for more information