It’s that time of the year when people from across India travel to cover the spiritual circle – The Panch Badri Circuit. This holy pilgrimage that comprises of five ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu takes place in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Lord Vishnu is one of the most revered deities in Hindu mythology and a part of the holy Hindu Trinity. These temples are located in the picturesque Himalayan region of Uttarakhand and are considered to be some of the most significant religious sites in the country.
The five temples that make up the Panch Badri circuit are: Badrinath, Yogadhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Vridha Badri and Adi Badri. Each of these temples has its own unique history and significance, and they are all associated with different legends and mythological stories.
Badrinath, the main temple in the circuit and also a part of Char Dham Yatra, is located at an altitude of 3,133 meters above sea level in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The temple resembles a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire. Among the several stories that have been doing the rounds, the one that remains the most popular one is the one that suggests that Guru Adi Shankaracharya established it in the 9th century. It is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu meditated in ancient times. Made of stone this temple has a distinctive architecture with a tall tower on top and intricate carvings on the walls. Divided into three sections – the garbha griha or sanctum sanctorum, darshan mandap or puja hall and sabha mandap where devotees assemble, this is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India that attracts thousands of devotees every year.
Yogadhyan Badri, located at an altitude of 1,920 meters in the district of Rudraprayag, is the second temple in the circuit that is also one of the holy Sapta Badri. Believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu is said to have meditated in a state of yoga, that is what gave its name. The temple is surrounded by stunning natural beauty with a beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu in a meditative pose.
Bhavishya Badri, located in the district of Chamoli, 22 kms away from Joshimath at an altitude of 8,530 feet in Suvai village, is the third temple in the circuit. According to legend, this temple will replace the Badrinath temple as the main pilgrimage site in the future. As per the prophecy in the “Sanath Samhita”, when the arm of the Narasingha idol will fall off and also the mountains of Jay and Vijay near Vishnuprayag cave in, it would make the present Badrinath shrine inaccessible, which would lead to the commencement of the worship of Lord Vishnu as Badrinarayan at Bhavishya Badri. The temple has a beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu in a sitting posture surrounded by lush greenery.
Vridha Badri, also known as “Old Badri” is the fourth temple in the circuit which is located at an altitude of 1,380 meters and one of the lesser known temples in the region. Legend has it that when Lord Vishnu moved from Badrinath to Kedarnath, he left behind his image in the form of a stone at Vridha Badri. The temple is said to be around 5000 years old and is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during their exile. The temple architecture is a marvel in itself. It is made of stone and has a conical roof with a small sanctum sanctorum (garbha-griha) where the idol of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. The idol is made of black stone and is around 1.5 feet tall. The temple also has a small water tank, which is believed to be the source of the Alakananda river.
Adi Badri, located in the district of Chamoli, is the fifth and final temple in the circuit. The temples at Adi Badri are known for their unique architectural style, which is a blend of North Indian and South Indian styles. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is believed to be the oldest temple in the complex. The temple is built on a raised platform and has a small shrine inside, where a statue of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Adi Badri is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site located in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. It is one of the oldest and most revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus, and is said to date back to the 8th century AD. The site is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Yamuna Valley, and is surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills.
The Panch Badri Circuit is not only significant from a religious standpoint, but also from a tourism standpoint. The natural beauty of the region is breathtaking, with snow-capped mountains, meandering rivers, and lush green forests. The circuit is a great way to explore the region, and to experience the spirituality and culture of India.
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