Sri Badri Narayana Perumal Temple, Badrinath

Sthala Purāṇam

Thiruvadhari Ashramam, the Sri Badri Narayana Perumal temple at Badrinath in Uttarakhand (about 10,300 feet above sea level on the bank of the Alaknanda river), is one of the 108 Divya Desams and a Char Dham site. The sthala puranam recounts that the divine sages Nara and Narayana performed severe penance here to destroy the demon Sahasrakavacha, who tormented sages and yogis, and thereafter permanently established themselves at Badri; the twin snow-clad peaks flanking the Alaknanda are accordingly named Nara Parvatam (east) and Narayana Parvatam (west). The Perumal here is honoured as the teacher of Artha Panchaka Gnanam - knowledge of the soul, the supreme, the goal, the means and the obstacles. The Moolavar, Badri Narayanan, is fashioned of saligram stone in seated Padmasana posture facing east, four-armed, bearing conch and discus with the others in dhyana and abhaya gestures; the Thayar is Aravindavalli (Mahalakshmi). The temple's name derives from the badri (date/jujube, elandhai) tree said to shelter the Lord - symbolising Lakshmi's protective presence against the harsh climate. Sacred tirthams include the hot springs of Tapta Kund and Brahma Kund, near the Vyasa and Ganesha caves. The shrine opens only about six months yearly (mid-May to November); during winter the utsava deity is moved to Joshimath. In the Divya Prabandham, mangalasasanam was offered by Periyalvar and Thirumangai Alvar.

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