The ancient shrine at Badrinath is one of the most venerated in India and to pray here is to attain moksh or salvation. The visit of the temple, to say the least, is of paramount importance and to participate in the aarti and puja a truly uplifting and simultaneously humbling experience. Each mythic site – and there are many – around the temple has a story to tell. If you are interested in ancient wisdom and in our inimitable heritage, then you will find one of the most absorbing and exhilarating experience. 

Taptakund

Down the steps from the temple, above the river bank are the thermal springs, their steam visibly from the opposite bank. It is a wonder that such hot water springs are found in such cold areas at all. The pilgrims take a bath here before visiting the temple. In fact, this bath is one pilgrimage that bears immediate fruit – instantly rejuvenating the traveller’s tired body.

Narad Kund

Narad Kund is formed from a recess in the bed of the river, close to Taptakund. This is sheltered by a bare rock whose projecting angle breaks the force of the current and renders the place fit for bathing. It is said to be very deep and it is from here that the idol of Lord Vishnu was recovered first by Brahma and then by Adi Shankracharya. The hot water springs comes out from beneath the Garud Shila and falls into a tank. Darshan of Badrinath is always preceded by a holy dip in this kund. The water in this pool is very hot so it is good idea not to stay in it too long.

Panchshila

It seems there is great importance and sanctity attached to the figure panch (five) in Garhwal, and so one finds many places such as Panch Prayag (five confluences), Panch Kedar (five Kedars), Panch Badri (five Badris), etc. Similarly, in Badrinath, there are the panchshila (five rocks) Naradshila is located near the Taptakund. Narad Muni is believed to have sat on it while undergoing austerities in the worship of Lord Vishnu. Just beneath this rock is Narad Kund from where Adi Shankracharya is said to have recovered the idol of Sri Badrinath. Narsinghshila is also located near the Taptakund. Beneath the bridge is a lion shaped rock, Narsinghshila, and the lion-headed god Narsingh is believed to have visited this place after slaying the demon Hirankashyap. Varahishila – Varah (boar), is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This is a boar shaped rock inside the Alaknanda. Garudshila – The Garud had worshipped the Lord on the Gandhmadan mountain to the south of Badrikashram, in his desire to become his carrier. This rock is near the Adi Kedareshwar temple. Markandeyashila is also located near the Taptakund. Sage Markandeya, on the advice of Narad Muni, went to Badrikashram and, sitting on a rock, underwent austerities in the worship of the Lord. Being granted a boon, Markandeya desired that the Lord be always close to him.

Brahmkapal

Legend has it that when, for some reason, Lord Shiv chopped off the head of Lord Brahma, the head stuck to the former’s hand and brahm-hatya (the curse of killing Brahma) befell him. Lord Shiv then went to all the pilgrim places but the curse did not go away. At last, when he came to Badrikashram, not only was he freed of Brahma’s head but was also relieved of the curse. Today, at the spot about 300 metres away towards the river’s source, is a rock known by the name Brahmkapal (Brahma’s head). Here, the pilgrims perform propitiating rites and rituals for their dead ancestors and offer pind daan.

Adi Kedareshwar

In continuation of the legend about the curse of Brahma killing, Lord Shiv, after being freed, started to live in Badrikashram. At that time, Garhwal-Kumaon, Nepal, Himachal and Kashmir were essentially Shaivite areas. When Lord Vishnu somehow managed to live here, Lord Shiv left to live in Kedarnath. Ever since, it has been ordained that the primacy of Lord Shiv be maintained. Accordingly, at Badrinath, it is considered auspicious and important to visit Kedareshwar before visiting the Badrinath temple. Adi Kedareshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiv, is located to the left of the Taptakund.

Sheshnetra

On the opposite bank of the Alaknanda, between two seasonal lakes, a boulder carries the impression of Shesh Nag, the legendary snake. This large boulder, located on the way to Mana village just outside the town, has two eyes which have been naturally created on in. They are said to belong to Shesh Nag, who, ever vigilant, protects the Badrinath Shrine.

Leela Dhongi

Badrinath is the area that Lord Shiv originally chose for his tapasya. However, Lord Vishnu decided that he wanted to meditate here so he assumed the form of a little child and lay on a rock and cried. He refused to stop even when Parvati tried to console him. In the end, Lord Shiv could not stand the child’s wails and decided to shift to Kedarnath. The rock on which Lord Badrinath is said to have played this trick is called Leela Dhongi and is located on the way to Bamni village.

Panch Dharas

The Panch Dharas (five streams) which are part of the Badrinath site-seeing are Prahlad, Kurma, Bhrigu, Urvashi and Indira dhara. The most striking of these is the Indira dhara, about 1.5 kilometres north of the town Badripuri. Bhrigudhara flows past a number of caves. The one on the right of river Rishi Ganga, originally from the Neelkanth range is Urvashi dhara. Kurma dhara’s water is extremely cold whereas Prahlad dhara has lukewarm water, which glides majestically down the rocks of Narayan Parvat.

Urvashi Temple

Badrivishal, the ashram of Nar and Narayan, where both performed penance and now, in the shape of mountains, guard the temple, was also the scene of their temptation. While they were in deep meditation, Lord Indra sent a group of celestial maidens or apsaras to distract them. Narayan tore his left thigh and out of the flesh, created several nymphs each more beautiful than the other. The most ravishing of all of them – Urvashi — led the nymphs to Indra and shattered his pride near a small pond in the Charanpaduka, 2 kilometres from Badrivishal. The pond bears the name of Urvashi; and there is a temple on the outskirts of Bamni village dedicated to the lovely nymph. In the sanctum sanctorum, a celestial nymph sits on the left thigh of Narayan.