BADRINATH: Badrinath is consider the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttarakhand. The town, situated on the left bank of the Alaknanda, is equidistant from the twin mountain of Nara and Narayan Parvats. Badrinath is on the itinerary of very devout Hindu. The place is also known as Badri Van after the forest of Badri trees which grow here.
The present temple was built about two centuries ago by the kings of Garhwal. The principal idol in the temple is of black stone and represents Vishnu seated in a meditative pose, and flanked by Nara-Narayan. Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri and is one Panch Badris.
The temple remains closed from October to April due to serve winter conditions. During this period idols of Utsavo murti are taken to Pandukeshwar. It is said that "There are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the neither world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be".
KEDARNATH: Set amidst the stunning mountainscape of the Garhwal Himalayas, kedarnath, at the head of the Mandakini River, is amongst the holiest pilgrimages of the devout Hindu.
The temple, believed to be very ancient, has been continually renovated over the countries. According to legend. Lord Shiva wished to elude the Pandavas, and took refuge in Kedarnath in the form of a bull. When the Pandavas followed him here too, he dived into the ground leaving behind him a hump on the surface. This conical protrusion is worshipped as the idol in the shrine.
The remaining parts of the body are worshipped at four other places-the arms (Bahu) at Tungnath, mouth (much) at Rudranath, navel (nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and hair (jata) at Kalpeshwar. Together with Kedarnath these places are known as the Panch kedar. |
