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Travelogue to Badrinath

TRAVELOGUE
ON PILGRIMAGE TO BADRIKAASHRAMAM
by
S.V.KRISHNAN

The pilgrimage to Badrikaashramam has been my dream project which came true in the month of May 2008 with the grace of Lord BadriNarayanan. I am told earlier that unless the destiny is in your favor, everyone will not make it. I had the privilege so kindly granted by the Almighty. I was accompanied by my wife Mythili and our second son Rangaswamy @ Sathyan. My brother in laws Narasimhan and Parthasarathy joined us from Delhi along with their wives Latha and Bhanu. Parthan’s son Hari also decided to join us and flew from Lon Angles for this purpose.
The pilgrimage was organized very efficiently by Sri Sunil Narasimhan of Delhi. He has been visiting Badrikaashramam every year for the last many Years and so far he has visited the shrine for 58 times. The entire group of 48 pilgrims, from Mumbai, Chennai and Coimbatore assembles at Balaji Temple at R K Puram on the night of 8th May 2008 and we left by 2 luxury coaches driven by efficient and experienced Sardarji drivers.

We reached Rishikesh on the early morning of 9th and arrangement was made at Srirangam Andavan Ashramam for our overnight stay. We took our holy bath at the Ganges at the throw away distance from our place. After breakfast so deliciously prepared by the cooks specially arranged for the pilgrimage, from Delhi who accompanied us in the bus along with all the needed utensils and provisions, all of us took some rest to overcome the night bus journey from Delhi.
Rishikesh:

Hṛṣīkeśa" is a name of Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'.[Rishikesh is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India. The place gets its name, after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi, as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh . In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree

Historically, Rishikesh, has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal), the abode of Shiva . Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshman, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganga, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by a stronger present bridge. Even today, the western bank of the bridge has a Lakshman temple, and across it lies a temple dedicated to Lord Rama; also present nearby is a temple of his other brother, Bharata, which also finds mention in the 'Kedar Khand'

The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains Himalayas, and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries. Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world-capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga centers that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. It is also becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges.

The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges. These include Rishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub; the sprawling suburb Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda, north of Hrishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple from here. The Ganga Arati performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors. 'Neelkanth Mahadev Temple', situated 12 km from Rishikesh, amidst forest is also a popular local pilgrimage, along with 'Vasishtha Gufa', (Cave of sage Vasishtha), 21 km up from the town by the Ganges.
Rishikesh is also home to the 120-year old Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution.

During the mid-1960s, The Beatles visited, the now closed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh John Lennon, even recorded a song here, titled, 'The Happy Rishikesh Song' Several other artists, including Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Donovan and Gyp Mills, visited the site to contemplate and meditate. More recently, the place has been of interest to celebrities including Hollywood star Kate Winslet.

We have visited the important temples and also the Sivananda Saraswati Ashram and Omkareshwarananda Ashram Sivananda @ Kuppuswamy was born in Pattamadai near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, India as the third son to his parents on 8 September 1887.[Kuppuswami the boy was very active and promising in academics and gymnastics. He attended medical school in Tanjore, where he excelled. He ran a medical journal called Ambrosia during this period. Upon graduation he practiced medicine and worked as a doctor in Malaya for ten years, with a reputation for waiving his fee for poor patients needing treatment. Over time, a sense that medicine was healing on a superficial level grew in him,[2] urging him to look elsewhere to fill the void, and in 1923 he left Malaya and returned to India to pursue a spiritual quest. Upon his return to India he visited Banaras, Nasik, to Rishikesh in 1924 where met his guru, Swami Vishwananda Saraswati. It was Vishwananda who initiated him into the Sannyas order and gave him his monastic name] However, since Sivananda spent only a few hours with Swami Vishwananda, the full Viraja Homa ceremonies were performed later by Swami Vishnudevananda (not to be confused with his own later disciple, Swami Vishnu-devananda), the Mahant of Sri Kailas Ashram.] After initiation, Sivananda settled in Rishikesh and immersed himself in intense spiritual practices. Sivananda performed austerities for many years but he also continued to help the sick. With some money from his insurance policy that had matured, he started a charitable dispensary at Lakshmanjula in 1927 and served pilgrims, holy men and the poor using his medical expertise.

After a few years, Sivananda went on an extensive pilgrimage and traveled the length and breadth of India to meditate at holy shrines and study with spiritual teachers throughout India. During this Parivrajaka (wandering monk) life, Sivananda visited important places of pilgrimage in the south, including Rameshvaram. He conducted Sankirtan and delivered lectures during his travels. He visited the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and met Maharishi Suddhananda Bharati. At the Ramana ashram, he had the Darshan of Ramana Maharshi on Maharshi's birthday.[3] He sang bhajans and danced in ecstasy with Maharshi's bhaktas. He also went on pilgrimages to various places in northern India including Kedarnath and Badrinath. He visited Kailash-Manasarovar in 1931.

During Sivananda's stay in Rishikesh and his travels around India, many came to him for guidance in the spiritual path. He permitted some of them to live near him and instructed them. Sivananda asked his students take copies of his short articles and send them for publication. Slowly, large number of people started coming to him and his circle started growing.
Sivananda founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 on the banks of the holy Ganges River. The free distribution of spiritual literature drew a steady flow of disciples to the Swami, including the young U.G. Krishnamurti, who studied with him for seven summers, and Swami Satyananda Saraswati, founder of Satyananda Yoga.

In 1945, Swami Sivananda created the Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy, and organized the All-world Religions Federation. He established the All-world Sadhus Federation in 1947 and Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy in 1948. He called his yoga the Yoga of Synthesis. Omkarananda Ashram is a spiritually focused non-political, scientific, cultural, educational, humanitarian, Charitable Trust, which persistently strives to provide untiring selfless service for spiritual enhancement and to create an infinite source of happiness and bliss through God realization in daily life.

The Ashram was established by Sage and Philosopher Swami Omkarananda who is an embodiment of highest spirituality, with the prime objective to love, serve and help all equally.
The Ashram aims to create a sanctum where spirituality encompasses every action, where truth attains a personality, divine love becomes an all-pervading reality and peace becomes an eternal constant companion.

The Ashram has personally volunteered various service projects and activities to serve and uplift the various communities through its 2 registered Trusts
Our visits to these two Ashramam have been an eye opener and we could experience the calm and religious atmosphere throughout the places. The charitable activities of the Ashramam are commendable. Educational institutions are run by Omkarananda Ashram for the benefit of the children over the entire state of Utracnchal, some of them in the remote corner of Himalayan Mountain areas. College to award MBA degree is also run at Rishikesh by the ashram.
The group members recited Vishnu Sahasranamam in the evening before dinner and rested for the night.

On the early morning of 10th, we left for a place called Piplakoti situated at an elevation of 1,219 meters and ten kilometers from Birahi. Pipalkoti is a busy and large town cradled in the lap of lush Green Mountain and terraced fields. The simple eating places – chattis - are run by typically warm hearted folk and offer rest and the hospitality of the hills.

Here, Dharamasala and a guest house are available for pilgrims/tourists, which is maintained and run by the Temple Committee. There is, besides, a Tent Colony and Tourist Bungalow run by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and a P.W.D. Rest House. We stayed at a private lodging house. From our hotel, we could see the wonderful snow packed Neelkanth Parvath, the highest mountain in our Country. The journey from Rishikesh to Piplakoti took the whole day and we reached there only in the evening.

On the way to Piplakoti, we halted at Devprayag, situated on the Rishikesh - Badrinath road, this mountainous spot is the site of the holy meeting of the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi. When they flow out of here, they are together called the Ganga. It is believed that the town is named after Deosharma, a sage, who led a life of penance here and succeeded in having a glimpse of God. Devprayag, meaning "holy confluence", is essentially the site of the beginning of the Ganges River. The Ganges begins with the confluence of two streams here, and its considered a place of powerful natural forces as well as spiritual forces. Devprayag is also named as Thirukkandam divyadesam and also as "Kadinagar", This sthalam is situated around 1700 feet upwards from the sea level. Prayag means the place where two rivers mingle together and since two deva (holy) rivers mingle together, it is said that this sthalam got the named as "Deva Prayag". The place where the two rivers is said to be the place where the Neelamega Perumal originates and the two rivers are referred to as two pirattis. It is said that in this sthalam Brahma devar, King Dasaratha and Sri Ramar have done tapas and an Idol of Raghunathji is said to be installed by Sri Aadhi Shankara. Periyalwar is the only alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on this Perumal in 11 paasurams. This great temple of Raghunathji is claimed to have been erected some ten thousand years ago. It is built of massive uncemented stones, standing upon a terrace in the upper part of the town consisting of an irregular pyramid capped by a white cupola with a golden ball and spire. Religious ablutions take place at 2 basins excavated in the rock at the junction of the holy streams. An earthquake shattered the temple, along with the other buildings of the town, in 1803 but the damage was subsequently repaired through the munificence of Daulat Rao Sindhia. This temple is visited by a large number of pilgrims every year. .

The road leading from Devprayag to Piplokoti is entirely on the Himalayan Mountain range. On one side, you could see the river Alaknanda flowing down the road-around 1000 meters. On the other side, the mountain walls are running through the road. The width of the road would be around 40 feet only. Short wheeled buses could only travel on these roads. Plenty of hair pin curves have to be covered. Ups and downs are constant and unless the driver is experienced to drive on such roads, you are at risk of your life.

We left Piplakoti on the early morning of 11th as we have to reach the entry gate by 6.30 AM or otherwise we have to wait for another 3 hours. The entry to the roads for the vehicles both from Piplakoti side as well as from Badrinath is allowed once 3 hours. The roads are very narrow and only one vehicle could travel at a time and there is no space available for the opposite vehicles to cross. Exactly at 22nd Kilometer, the road for a distance of one kilo meter is quite broad to allow the vehicles to cross. The entire length of the road from Piplakoti to Badrinath is ascending mostly to the holy place which is at an altitude of 10000 meters. The journey is thrilling and sometimes alarming also.

We reached the heavenly abode of Badrikaashramam at 12noon. Our stay has been arranged at a dharamasala, very near to the temple. We were told that only 3 days back, the temperature was – 4 degrees and water got freezed on the taps. The climate was quite comfortable in the day but at night it was very cold and chill. Dharamasala has provided adequate linen materials to cope up with the climate.

Here I would like to take the help from the various web sites dedicated for Badrinath, instead of myself attempting to explain the significance of this holy place compared with other places.
Badrikashram has been known by different names in different times:

In the Satyug it was called the Muktiprada because in this era Lord Narayan himself resided in the Badrivan (the forest of Badri Trees), his devotees could see him whenever they wished to.
In the Tretayug Lord Narayan was only visible to those who had acquired the vision after great sadhana (penance) and those who were yogamukt. Since Lord Narayan could only be seen by the few, who had meditated, the place came to be known as Yogasiddhit. In the Dwaparyug this region became very well known. Its fame spread far and wide, as a result large number of people flocked to see Lord Narayan and so the place came to be known as Vishala, which means very large. Badri trees grew in abundance in this region, so in time this place came to be known as Badrikashram Lord Narayan himself used to practice his sadhana (penance) here but Indra and his apsaras would often create obstacles in his meditation. Over a period of time this region grew very famous and too many people started visiting it. Since by the end of the Dwaparyug people’s minds veered towards tamasic and rajasic attitudes and were losing their sattvic qualities, so the Lord Narayan disappeared from this place. Those great sages to whom Lord Narayan was visible since Satyug were also deprived of the Darshan. Those great souls along with other gods, sages and ascetics sought audience with Lord Brahma and asked him. "Dwapareya samanu praaptey vishalayaa vishal dhee Bhagwan drishyate naïve tatra ki kaaran vad" "O Lord Brahma! unlike the past yugas, in this Dwaparyug we are deprived of the darshan (audience) of Narayan! Has the lord abandoned Badrikashram? If so where does he reside now?"

Lord Brahma said that inspite of all his meditative energy he was unable to find out where Narayan was and directed them to Lord Shiva for a solution. Lord Brahma and the sages then sought Shiva at the Kailash Parbat and asked him where Narayan could be found but he too had no answer to where Narayan had disappeared. He suggested that they all go to Vaikuntha as only Lord Vishnu himself would be able to tell them the whereabouts of Narayan.

Thus Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and all the sages went to meet Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha Lok (paradise, the abode of Lord Vishnu). They recited stotras (chants) and invoked Lord of Vaikuntha -Lord Vishnu himself. The Lord did not reveal himself but communicated through his divine voice-The Akashwani and he said:

"Bhalloi na darshanam yami sav dharma bahishkritye"

O sages! It is not just the truly devoted who come to Badrikashram, those who pretend to be bhaktas(devotees) but do not really revere me have also started coming to the Badrikashram.

"Yadi vo darshane sharddha mandpasth sureshwara

Gruhadhwam mamkin moorti shaili narad kundanam"

Those people who do not have the Bhakti and Shraddha (devotion) shall not have the privilege of my Darshan as I will not be visible though I will continue to reside in the Badrikashram. For those devotees who have Bhakti(faith) and Devotion I am present in the form of a stone in the Narad Kund (a pond or lake near Alaknanda river)

If you feel devoted you can worship me in the form of a deity in the temple, you can remove the Idol of Lord Narayan from the Naradkund, create a temple around it and experience
The Hinyaan did not believe in idolatry. On the other hand the Mahayaanis were idol worshippers. The road to the Tibet based Kailash Mansarovar passed through Badrikashram in those days. The people of the Mahayaan sect looked upon Lord Badrinath as another form of Buddha and paid their obeisance to him with reverence and faith. But the Hinyaan who were not idol worshippers started disturbing the peace of the Badrikashram. The situation worsened to the extent that the devotees found it difficult to protect the Lord’s idols. They came to the conclusion that since the earth is never seedless it will produce another great soul at some time. They put the idols of Lord Narayan back in the Naradkund. People of the mahayana sect fled from the Badri region to other places.

Wherever the ascetics of the Badri region lived also came to be known as the Panch Badri. As a result the actual location of Badri region became doubtful. When the divine bodied saadhakas (ascetics) could not see the idols of Lord Narayan in the Naradkund they were saddened and expressed their sorrow to Lord Shiva. They lamented that one could not receive darshan of the lord even in Badrikashram now and wondered at the cause. Lord Shiva meditated on this question and then told them what was revealed to him. He said that the trouble was not only in Badrikashram but in entire Bharat (India). The people of Bharat (India) had forgotten the ways of the Vedas. To re-establish Vedic thought and to revive the lost significance of the pilgrimage centers he said he would have to take birth as a mortal. After reassuring them he asked them to leave.

"Vipra bhairav datsya gehe gatva sa ve shiva

Tatputro bhumiloke shankronama: vishruta"

Thus Lord Shiv took birth in Southern Kerala in a village called Kaladi in the family of the Brahmin Bhairavdatta as Adi Sankaracharya.

When Adi Shankaracharya was 11 years old he and his fellow disciples arrived at Badrikashram. When he reached there early in the morning the fresh and divine breeze of Sushmaand Gandhmadna mountain moved him greatly and he spontaneously started reciting the Ashtapadi. After a few days he started looking for the divine idols of Badrinath along the southern part of the Alaknanda river. As he excavated along the left bank of the river he felt certain that the Naradkund also known as the Narayankund was between the Naradshila and the Varahshila. With this belief he dived into the pond. He found an idol. On bringing it out of the water and closely inspecting it he felt that it did not have any distinctive features to indicate it was a divine idol. He put it back into the water and again dived into the Narayankund and again found an idol but did not find anything distinctive about it. He dived the third time and again found an idol and just when he was about to put it back into the water a voice stopped him, which said that
‘I am Badrinath and have been consecrated by Brahma once before,’

The voice asked him to give this divine idol its rightful place.

Thus about 1200 years ago Badrinath was consecrated and worshipped by Adi Shankaracharya. The rituals and procedure of worship as laid out by Adi Shankaracharya is being practised at Badrinath till today. Srimad Bhagvad Gita has explained the significance of the temple and glory of Lord Shri Badrinarayan.

The temple’s present structure was built by the Kings of Garhwal about two centuries ago.The temple has three sections - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), The Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan.

Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana – vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujan Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana – vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. The search of man for his God has led him to various vicissitudes for discovery-the hope remains unquenched and springs for ever eternal. It has done so far countless centuries and will do so till God's world and his creation last. The quest begins and leads through the shrines put up by man for his creator's glorification.

There are four more places of worship in close relation to the main shrine at Badrinath.

Yog Dhyan Badri

The temple of Yog Dhyan Badri, one of the five Badris is located at Pandukeshwar (1920 m), just 24 km short of Badrinath on Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The image, depiciting a meditative posture of the Lord, is worshipped here. The Pandavas are said to have handed over Hastinapur to King Parikshit and retired here.

Bhavishya Badri

The temple of Bhavishya Badri is at an elevation 3641 m, and is surrounded by dense forests. It is located at Subain near Tapovan, about 17 km east of Joshimath on Joshimath-Lata Malari route. Pilgrims have to trek beyond Tapovan, up the Dhauliganga river. It is believed that a day will come when the present route to Badrinath will become inaccessible and Lord Badrinath will then be worshipped here. Hence the name 'Bhavishya Badri', which literally means the "Future Badri".

Adi Badri

Approachable from Karnprayag by a motor able road on the way to Ranikhet, are remains of 16 small temples. Seven among them are ancient ones, belonging to the late Gupta period. The credit for building these temples is generally given to Shankaracharya. The main temple of Narayan is distinguished by a raised platform in the pyramidal form, where the idol is enshrined. Sculpted out of black stone, the idol of Lord Vishnu is a metre high.

Vriddha Badri

Situated at an altitude of 1380 m and at a distance of 7 km from Joshimath is Animath, the place where several centuries before the advent of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the idol of Badrinath was enshrined and worshipped. The idol is known as Vriddha (old) or the first Badri and the temple remains open throughout the year.
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Village Mana- Vyas Gufa

This village, located at a distance of 3 kms from Badri is the last Indian Village situated in the Indo-China Border and has gained historical importance on account of Vyas Caves. This village, located on the banks of River Saraswati (only place where this river can be seen) is very beautiful. Vyas Maharishi (Sage), author of Mahabharata is believed to have lived in the caves. These are named after him. It was in these caves, Vyas Maharishi composed the Mahabharata. This was done at the orders of his mentor Kalpatru Maharishi who appeared in his dream. Mahabharata depicts the history of Pandavs, Kauravs including Kurukshetra War and most importantly Bhagawad Gita authored by Krishna (reincarnation of Vishnu). Ganesh, the son of Shiv & Parvati, is said to have helped Vyas Maharishi in putting this epic in the written form, the beginning of education in written form. In addition to Mahabharata, Vyas Maharishi composed 18 puranas (legendary stories), Brahma Sutras and classified the Hindu Vedas into 4 parts – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. It is only in this cave that Adi Shankara is believed to have met Vyas Maharishi and discussed his Bhashyam (explanatory notes) for Brahma Sutras.

Rock formation inside the Vyas Guha appears to resemble the orderly stacking of palm leave manuscripts – oldest writing material and is worshipped as Vyas Pusthak. Vyas Maharishi is also considered, by some, as reincarnation of Vishnu and that is the reason he is called as Vyasa Bhagawan.

Vasuki Tal

This is a high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that ascends to 14,200 feet. Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasudhara Falls are 3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu mythology and form part of the pilgrimage to Badrinath.
Readers can now realise why Badrikaashramam is the holiest place among all other pilgrim centers.

On the second day at Badrikaashramam, Sunil Narasimhan has arranged for us to perform Pinda Tharpanam for the forefathers. We have paid Rs 380 to the temple authorities who arranged for the prohit to conduct the Tharpanam. Pindam made out of rice was first offered to Lord BadriNarayanan as Naivedhyam and then used for Pinda Tharpanam. The prohit, hailing from Guntur (Andhra) was able to converse in Telugu as well as Tamil. He conducted the entire rituals in an organized and elaborate manner. When we have completed the rituals, every one of us had the maximum satisfaction in our heart and fond hopes that our forefathers would continue to shower their blessings on us and our family.

In the afternoon, we visited the Village Mana, the last one on the Indian Territory. There is a tea shop with a name board indicating that it is the last tea shop in our land. We visited the cave where the sage Vyasa Bhagawan composed the Mahabaratham with the help of Lord Ganesh, whose temple also is very near to the cave. In this cave only Vyasa has also divided the entire Vedas into four divisions as Yajur, Rik, Sama and Adharvanam. Legend says that Adi Sankaracharya met Vyasa Mamuni in this cave.

We had been to the p[lace where the holy river Saraswathy originates from the Mountain ranges. The water comes out of a big hole like outlet among the huge rocks and with all the force and speed. It falls down on a big pond and goes down in the land. We have to cross a rock which serves as bridge. When Pandavas was trying to cross the river Saraswathy, they couldn’t as the river was in full force. Beeman just pulled out a rock and threw it on the river. The rock got struck and served as a bridge. There is small temple for goddess Saraswathy. Within 3 to 4 kilometers from the origin, the river Saraswathy joins the Alaknanda River. Then it is invisible and legend says that it flows under the river Alaknanda. It is for this reason that we cannot see the river Saraswathy at Allahabad though triveni sangamam signify the sangamam of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswathy.

We were told that the border between India and Tibet (China) is just another 22 kilometers only from the Village Mana.

In the evening we had the Darshan of BadriNarayanan again. There were no queues and one could go into the garbagruham within 20 minutes. Some of our group members attended the early morning Vishwarupa Darshanam. The sandal paste applied on the previous evening is completely removed. The idol of Lord Badrinarayan, made of black Salagram stone is shown to all the devotees by the chief priest. Then the Thirumanjanam is performed with Vedic rituals. Then the deity is decorated with flowers and colorful silk vastrams. We have missed to have the Vishwarupa darshanam, fearing for the severe cold and chillness in the early morning. We are worried about the inadequate supply of the oxygen at that height from the sea level. We did not want to take any risk. Later on when people who witnessed the Thirumanjanam explained the rituals, we thought that we should have attended without worrying for the cold climate as Lord BadriNarayanan would have taken care of us.

Next day i.e. on 13th, we started climbing down the mountain range to a place called SRINAGAR for the night halt. This place doesn’t have any relevance to the Srinagar in Kashmir.
On the way we made a halt at another famous pilgrim centre- Jyoshimath.
Joshimath

When Badrinath closes during the winter, the priests from the Badrinath Temple come to Joshimath and continue worship at the Narasimha Temple. The utsava-murti (moving deity) of Badri Vishal is brought to Pandukeswar@ Narasimhar Temple for worship. There is the ancient Vasudeva Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna.

One of the four main Shankaracharya mutts (maths) is located here. It is said that Adi Shankaracharya meditated in a cave here and attained Samadhi (enlightenment) about 1,200 years ago under the Kalpavriksa tree (Shahtoot/Mulberry).

In the lower part of the town are the Gauri Shankar Siva and Nava Durga temples. Tapovan, 11km north of Joshimath along the Curzon Trail, is known for its hot springs.
Narasimhadeva TempleIn this temple is a Deity of Lord Narasimha, which is self-manifested from a shalagram-shila. He is about 25cm (10 in) high and remarkably detailed, sitting in a lotus position. To the right of Lord Narasimha are Sita, Rama, Hanuman, and Garuda. Against the left wall is a deity of Chandika, which is another name for Kali. On the altar to the right of Lord Narasimha are deities of Kubera, Uddhava, and Badri Vishal. There is an altar for Lakshmi Devi just outside the door of the temple.

Shankaracharya is said to have installed this Narasimha Salagram. The left wrist of Narasimha is incredibly thin and gets thinner every day. It is said that when Kali-yuga overtakes the world, the wrist (arm) will break and the mountains Jaya and Vijaya (near Vishnu Prayag) will collapse and block the present road to Badrinath. The new Badrinath will be relocated at Bhavisya Badri, about 23km southeast of Joshimath.

This temple is said to be over 1,200 years old. It is open from 5 am to 8.30 pm. This temple and the Vasudeva Temple, just 30m away, are located in the bottom part of the town, about a three minute walk from the Kedar Holy Home Guest House. Everyone knows where this temple is located.Vasudeva TempleThis temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, recognized by the Tamil Nadu Vaishnava saints as being very important Vishnu temples. The black carved stone Deity of Lord Vasudeva is about 2m (6 ft) tall. He stands with his associates Sri, Bhu, Nila, and Kama. This temple is about 30m from the Narasimhadeva Temple. To the left of the main entrance is a deity of dancing Ganesh, which is said to be one of only two such deities in India. This temple is very ancient, and no one knows exactly how old it is.

Shankaracharya Math (Mutt) This temple is located on the ridge above the upper part of the town. If you enter the temple and follow the signs to your left, you come to the cave where Shankaracharya is said to have meditated. If you go up the steps to the right of the temple entrance (before entering the temple complex), you come to the Kalpavriksa tree, where Shankaracharya is said to have attained self-realization. This 38m (125 ft) tall tree has a huge trunk and is said to be more than 2,400 years old. Shankaracharya wrote the Shankara Bhashyam in Joshimath.

After visiting the temples at Joshimath, we reached Srinagar in the evening for overnight stay.
Srinagar received its name from Sri Yantra. It is believed that with an objective of killing Kalasura (a demon) “Sri Yantra’ was established on a slab here and goddess killed the demon at a nearby place named Kaliyasaur. Long ago hundreds of tantric adepts especially those belonging to to the tradion of Sri Vidya, did their practices here. It included human sacrifices and prevailed until 8th Century when Adi Shankaracharya displaced the slab and hurled it into the Alakananda River. The said slab remains the most significant shrine in this area and even today lying on the river bed at outskirt of Srinagar. Old Srinagar was destroyed later in the Gohna lake dam-burst and lost all the old relics. Srinagar is home to H N Bahuguna Garhwal University.

After complete rest overnight at Srinagar, we left in the early morning of 14th to Hardwar and reached there around 12.30 PM. We were provided with comfortable rooms at Vishnu Bhavan and advised to take our holy bath at Ganges River. Regarding significance of Hardwar, my narration would be from various web sites devoted for this holy city.

Hardwar is one of the 4 holy cities along the Ganges where a Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years. Hardwar or Hardwar is a beautiful city located at the foothills of the Himalayas around 210 kms from Delhi. Hardwar, the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttarakhand region, is located on the foothills of the Shivaliks. Several temples and ashrams dot this town and a visit to Hardwar is like stepping into a totally different world. Hardwar is among 7 sacred cities of India. There are many places of scenic beauty on the outskirts of the city.

Hardwar or Hardwar has been given many names in the prehistoric times. Hardwar has a literal meaning that is the “gateway to the abode of Gods ". Lush green forests and small ponds adorn the scenic beauty of this holy land. In mythology Hardwar is known as Kapilsthaan, and its other names are Gangadwar, Tapovan, Mayapuri,... It is said that gods left their footprints on the land of Hardwar. Metaphorically they also left an indelible mark on the spiritual ethos of every Hindu - more so, the devout, who would later follow their holy paths all across this blessed land.
Hardwar has not only remained the abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit, but also served as a center of attraction for many, for learning the arts, science and culture. Hardwar is one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. And that is why the water at Hardwar is crystal clear and cool. Mythological drops of nectar churned out from the primordial ocean full at the four sites of the Kumbh Mela fair including Hardwar.The aarthy is shown to Ganga mathaji every evening at 7 PM. Lakhs of pilgrims assembles on the river bed to have this Darshan. Exactly at 7 PM, the aarthy is shown at every temple situated on the banks of the river Ganges and it is a scene to be seen. Most of the local residents make it a point to have the Darshan of aarthy every evening as a daily ritual in their life.
Sunil Narasimhan has arranged for a grand treat for the lunch in the afternoon as thanks giving for the successful completion of Badrinath Yatra.

We left Hardwar late in the night and reached Balaji Mandir at RK Puram in the early morning of 15th.

To have born as a Brahmin and being a vaishnavite, everyone should make it a point to undertake the yatra to Badrikaashramam in this life. We felt on completion of this yatra that the purpose our birth and the life are fulfilled.

Those who would love to make the pilgrimage to Badrinath, please get in touch with tour organiser at the following address:

Mr Sunil Narasimhan

SRA-2D-Shipra Riviera-Indrapuram 201010 Ghaziabad UP

Phone 0120 2607752-mobile phones 9810786366 & 9868899986

It is not out place here to make a mention that Mr Sunil Narasimhan has made so far 58 trips to Badrinath and no doubt that he will be the best guide for anyone wishing to make a visit.

Jai Badrinathji ki.