Badrinath

Adi Shankaracharya is said to have established Badrinath as a major pilgrimage site in 9^th century. According to legend, Lord Vishnu sat for his austerities and meditation at this stage. But the weather there was very harsh and extreme with thinner air. Therefore, to aid and protect him, Lord Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi took a form of a Badri tree (Indian date). Pleased with her devotion he named the area Badrika ashram. During the time of Shankaracharya, Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream, directing him to recover and idol of Lord Vishnu from a certain place in the Alakinanda river and establish a temple. And therefore the pilgrimage site came into being.

The main deity is a carved 1 foot tall black stone, the idol of Lord Bardrinath or Badrinarayan is housed under a gold canopy shaped as a Badri tree. The sanctum also houses the idols of:

1. Kubera, the god of wealth
2. Sage Narada
3. Uddhava, who is a counsellor and friend of Lord Krishna
4. Nara & Narayana, the Hindu deity pair referring to god and man

The Badrinath temple premises also have hot sulphur water springs. These springs have a year round temperature of 45’ C while the average temperature outside is below 10’ C.

Lord Vishnu is considered as the Absolute Reality according to Vaishnava tradition. The Vishnu element represents preservation (satva or purity) in any process after creation and before destruction. An ancient scripture known as ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’ lists 1000 names of Vishnu amongst which Vasudeva, Narayana, Hari, Rishikesh are few, which when chanted creates a vibration of purity and devotion bringing the devotee closer to Supreme Reality.

Lord Vishnu’s consort is goddess Lakshmi, also known as Shri, the goddess of wealth, good fortune and prosperity. When Vishnu is considered as the Absolute, Lakshmi is the mother of all creation – the cosmic power which is the manifested universe. Lakshmi has taken different forms in order to be with Vishnu in each of his incarnations.

Temple images of Vishnu depict him either sitting or reclining on the coils of the serpent Shesha in company of his consort Lakshmi on the cosmic ocean, Shirsagar or in a standing position, dressed in royal garments, holding in his four hands:

• Shankha (conch shell)
• Chakra (discus)
• Gada (club)
• Padma (lotus)

Vishnu’s mount vehicle is the Garuda (an eagle) and his abode is heaven known as Vaikuntha.

Therefore, as the highest role of a preserver, Lord Vishnu has incarnated many times on earth to preserve and protect people and uphold righteousness, making his appearances innumerable. His symbolism in Yogic philosophy is vividly described. His most popular avataras or incarnations are Rama and Krishna. Lord Vishnu is most worshipped in these incarnated forms. King Rama’s life is described in epic Ramayana. Rama is the prince of Ayodhya who was exiled to the forest. His wife Sita (an incarnation of Lakshmi) was abducted by demon king Ravana. Rama along with his brother Lakshmana (an incarnation of Shesha) and his disciple Hanuman and army of monkey soldiers had to go on a war and kill Ravana and rescue Sita back.

Like any other Indian story, there is lot of spiritual symbolism behind this as well. Rama here denotes a spiritual aspirant. Sita is knowledge and Ravana is the ego. Hanuman is prana & brahmacharya. Rama kills his ego, with help of prana, gains knowledge and finally abandon the knowledge (when he abandons Sita in the end) at the doorstep of liberation. Rama is hailed a great and virtuous man, king and spiritual aspirants.

Lord Vishnu in his 8^th incarnation as Krishna was also a king guiding the side of the Pandava brothers, who were at war with their cousins, the Kauravas. Arjuna, the third Pandava brother, lost his discernment, no willing  to fight at the sight of his kinsmen on the opposite side and dropped his weapon before the war began, thus surrendering to Krishna as a disciple seeking his guidance. That’s when Lord Krishna enlightened Arjuna in the form of the Bhagavad Gita, literally ‘Song of Lord’. This is very famous and widely read and studied scripture through out the world. It is knowledge in simplest form which can even be memorised and recited by children.

The Bhagavad Gita explains how a person should be steadfast in Yoga and how he should act with equanimity of mind in all kinds of extreme situations especially moral dilemma and despair.  Action without desiring the fruits, always done to uphold one’s duty under any circumstances.

We suggest that the following items are taken:

• All our gear will be taken to the room
• Rain jacket as the weather in the mountains can change unexpectedly
• Winter gear – jacket, hat, inner layers
• Sleeping bag for the night. Temperatures can go down to zero easily
• Bathing suit and towel in case you wish to go to the hot springs