Badrinath Temple
Badrinath is an ancient religious centre. It is also famous for its natural beauty. The religious importance of Badrinath was introduced by Shankaracharya. The place gets its name from the word ‘badri’ , meaning ‘berries’. In fact, once betties grew here abundantly. It is situated near the meeting point of two rivers - the Alaknanda and the Rishi Ganga. The shrine of Badrinath in this city attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India.
The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is the Preserver in the Hindu Trinity, the other two being Creator and Destroyer. The deity of the temple is Badrinath. Badrinath is another form of Vishnu. The deity is also known in the names like Badri Vishal and Badrinarayan.
The idol of the deity was thrown into Narada Kunda, during the golden age of Buddhism. Karada Kunda is a hot water spring that exits near the temple It was Shankaracharya installed the deity inside the shrine for a second time. The idol presents Badrinath in the position of padmasana or lotus posture. There is a group of gods around him. Some of them are Kubera, the God of Wealth, and Ganesh, the God of Wisdom and prosperity.
There is another shrine dedicated to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune. This shrine is situated to the left of the main temple building. Outside the exit door of the Badrinath Temple is the seating place of Shankaracharya. It was there Shankaracharya sat in meditation. Near the Badrinath Temple are some hot springs. Two important springs are The Tapt Kund and Narada Kunda. The temperature of these springs is about 45 degree celsius.
