Facts your must know about Badrinath Temple

India is a land of Diversities and one of the most sought after places on earth if you want to go on a pilgrimage. While there are numerous holy places spread across the country, many are famous all over the world and attract a huge number of Indigenous and foreign crowds due to their divine spiritual attraction. Badrinath Dham is one of the many holy shrines, situated in North India and has immense value in the Indian tradition and culture.

• The doors of Badrinath and Kedarnath are going to be closed for six months for the upcoming winter season. The doors of Badrinath will be closed on 27^th November and those of Kedarnath will be shut down after Diwali on 25^th October. This announcement was made on Friday whilst following all the traditional rituals. Further, Madmaheshwar and Tungnath will be closed for pilgrims from 21st November and 30^th November, respectively. And the respective dates of door closing ceremony of Gangotri and Yamnutri are 24^th and 25^th October.

• It is said that here Lord Shiva used to meditate and he even gave some part of the Badrinath area to Lord Vishnu and went ahead to Kedarnath area.

• Badrinath comprises of five temples in total. The five temples are known as Panch Badri. They bear a striking similarity to Kedarnath, which also has five temples and are together called as Panch Kedar.

1. Chardham Parikrama:

As per the Hindu tradition of parikrama, pilgrims undertake this holy journey from left to right. Pilgrimage to Chardham yatra begins from Yamunotri Temple, the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna, before proceeding to Gangotri Temple which is devoted to Goddess Ganga, and then further moves to Kedarnath temple which stands as one of the 12 ‘Jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva and finally concludes at Badrinath temple which is devoted to Lord Vishnu.

2. Chardham Represents Three Major Sectarians:

The sacred sites of the Chardham in Uttarakhand are not allied to any single sect. Rather, it represents three major sectarians with the Vaisnava site at Badrinath, joined by a Saiva site at Kedarnath and two Devi sites at Yamunotri and Gangotri.

3.Surya Kund:

Located close to the freezing Yamunotri glacier, Surya Kund is another hot water spring which holds an important religious significance. The water of this spring is so hot that the Prasad is prepared in the water of kund only that too within just a few minutes.

4.Gauri Kund:

Situated at a height of 6500 feet, Gauri Kund serves as the base camp for the pilgrims on their way to Kedarnath. It comprises a temple and a hot water spring dedicated to Goddess Gauri. According to legends, Gauri Kund is a place where Goddess Gauri, wife of Lord Shiva carried out her yogic practices.

5. Tapt Kund:  

Located just below the Badrinath temple, Tapt Kund is the holy hot water spring where devotees take bath before visiting the Badrinath temple. The water of the kund is believed to be infused with medicinal properties. The springs of Tapt Kund are known to be the home of Lord Agni, the Hindu God of fire.

6. Narad Kund:

Located close to Tapta Kund, Narad kund is believed to be the recovery source of the Badrinath idol. The hot water springs comes out from under the Garur Shila and falls into a tank. Devotees visiting the Badrinath temple take a dip in this kund before heading into the temple.