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Char Dham Yatra 2023: Facts about Badrinath Temple which you probably did not know

The Badrinath Temple is part of the Char Dham Yatra and one of the holiest places for the Hindus. Lakhs of devotees visit this place every year, but despite that very few people know some little-known facts about this place and why it came to be revered so much by the Hindus. Find out some interesting facts about holy place.

Abhijeet Christopher Loreng

Updated Apr 24, 2023, 17:15 IST

Char Dham Yatra 2023 Facts about Badrinath Temple which you probably did not know

India is home to innumerable pilgrimage sites each with its historical significance. While people visit these sites for pilgrimage but most fail to explore the other side of these revered, beautiful temples.

Badrinath, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites. However, despite visiting this site several times there are a number of interesting things about Badrinath which most people do not know.

Tapta Kunda

Badrinath temple is surrounded by snow-capped mountains from all sides, which means that the temperatures remain freezing cold throughout the year. But did you know that the hot water spring of Tapta kund, located a few minutes away from the temple has hot water throughout the year. It is also believed to be the residing place of Lord Agni Deva.

People from all across the world visit here to take a dip in the holy kund with he belief that it cures all their physical ailments.

Badri Vishal, the Berry Tree

According to Hindu legend, Lord Vishnu once sat at this place for meditation. Since the weather was really cold, Goddess Laxmi protected him in the form of a berry tree. Lord Vishnu was impressed by Maa Lakshmi’s devotion and called the tree, Badri Vishal. A lot of people from around the world visit Badrinath and sit under this tree and meditate in the search for enlightenment.

This is also the place where the pilgrimage site gets its name from. The berries were known as Badri and Goddess Laxmi had named Lord Vishnu, Badrinath back then.

The high priest at the shrine

According to the legends, the Badrinath shrine was re-established by Adi Shri Shankaracharya. The high priest at the Badrinath temple is also from the clan of Adi Shri Shankaracharya. Since they work as priests at the temple, they are not allowed to marry. For them even touching a woman is sinful.

Brahma Kapal

When you visit Badrinath, you will find a high rock pedestal which is believed to liberate people from the cycle of life and death. Many people visit here to pray for their ancestors. It is also believed that anyone who visits Badrinath temple even once in their life never comes back to a mother's womb and is liberated from the cycle of life and death.

The place where Lord Krishna and Arjun meditated

Badrinath is set between two mountains - Nar and Narayana. It is believed that Lord Krishna and Pandava prince Arjun, who are both believed to be the incarnations of Lord Visnu meditated here first before being born in the Treta Yuga.

The perceived end of Badrinath

It is believed that the Badrinath temple is closely related to the Narasimha temple in Joshimath. One of the arms of Narasimha temple is believed to be thinning with time and if the locals are to be believed, the day it breaks, the Nar and Narayana mountains will merge and the Badrinath shrine won’t be visible anymore from that day.

A sacred river runs by it

The Alaknanada River that flows alongside the temple is revered as a very auspicious river. The legend goes that Lord Badrinath once rested at the site where the river now stands, but there was just a little tributary there. Within minutes, the little body of water swelled into a gigantic river that washed the Lord’s feet. Even today, the river is considered holy and a dip in it is highly recommended if one wishes to wash away one’s sins.

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