Sri Badrinath Yatra - Start on 9 th May 2008 .
Sri Kedarnath Yatra- Start on 7 th May 2008
Gangotri & Yamunotri Yatra: Start on 7 th May 2008
For Details Contact:-

Shri Badarinath - Shri Kedarnath Temples Committee
Chandrabhaga Bridge , Rishikesh, Uttarakhand - 249 201. INDIA .
Telefax: + 91 + (0135) 2430261
E-mail: admin@badarikedar.org ; pramod@badarikedar.org
Visit Web Site: www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in

Chief Works Officer

•  Bedrinath: +91 + (01381) 222204-06

•  Jyoshi Math: +91 + (01389) 222083

•  Ukhi Math: +91 + (01364) 267228

•  Gauri Kund: +91 + (01364) 269204

•  Kedarnath: +91 + (01364) 263231 (Phone will work 7 th May onwards.)

•  Rishikesh Office: +91 + (0135) 430261

Sri Badrinath Dham

Sri Badarinath Dham is one of the most sacred centers of pilgrimage situated in the lofty Himalayan heights in the Garhwal hill tracks (Uttarakhand). Situated at the height of 3133 m (10248 feet) above sea level. The route to Badarinath is one of the most fascinating one due to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most scenically beautiful place on the earth.
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At Badarinath Lord MahaVishnu is believed to have done his penance. Seeing the Lord doing his penance in the open, Goddess Mahalaxmi is believed to have assumed the form of Badari tree to provide him shelter to face the onslaught of the adverse weather conditions, therefore the name Badari Narayan. It is believed that Lord Vishnu revealed to Narad rishi that Nar & Naryans forms were his own. It is also believed that Narad rishi, who also did his penance here, is even now worshipping the supreme God with Ashtakshara mantras.

The image of Badarinarayan here is fashioned out of Saligramam. Badarinarayan is seen under the Badari tree, flanked by Kuber and Garuda, Narad, Narayan and Nar. Mahalakshmi has a sanctum outside in the parikrama. There is also a shrine to Adi Sankara at Badarinath.

Behind the temple of Lord Badarinarayan is the Lakshmi Narsimh mandir, with shrines to Desikacharya and Ramanujachary.At Badarinath one can witness one of the greatest wonders of Nature in the Hot water springs of Taptkund on the banks of ice chilled river Alaknanda. The temperature of the water in the Kund is 55 degree centigrade whereas the normal temperature in this region for most part of the year remains at 9-10 degree centigrade to sub-zero levels. Before visiting the temple the pilgrims take a holy bath in the Taptkund.

The Temple 's present structure was built by the Kings of Garhwal. The Temple has three sections - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), the Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badari Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad rishi, Udhava, Nar & Narayan.

Lord Badari Narayan (also called as Badari Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vehicle of Lord Narayan). Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujam. Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.

Best Time to visit:- The ideal time or peak season to go for a Char Dham Yatra is from May to October, except monsoons. This is because; all the four sacred sites are perched in Garhwal Himalayas, which is prone to heavy snowfall. As a result, all the passage leading to the shrines are blocked. Moreover, during the monsoon season, there is undue threat of having landslides, which can further disrupt the journey. For safety reasons, the gates of the temples are also closed for this period of time and the idols are shifted to nearby pilgrim points.

Sri Kedarnath Dham

Kedar is also another name for lord Shiva - the protector and the destroyer. Lord Shiva manifested in the form of Jyotirlingam or the cosmic light. Kedarnath is highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas . There are 200 ancient shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli district itself, the most important is Kedarnath. Shrine of Kedarnath lying at the altitude of 3584 Mts. It is a 14 km trek from Gaurikund. On the head of river Mandakini is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus.

The origin of revered temple can be found in great epic Mahabharat. After the wars, the Pandavas lost their peace of mind after committing the great sin of slaying their Guru and brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. Lord Shiva avoided them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of bull. On being followed, He dived into the ground, leaving behind His hump on the surface. The hump is worshipped in the temple of Kedarnath in the conical Shiva pinda form. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva are worshipped at other places. The arms appeared at Tungnath , the face at Rudranath , the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar . Kedarnath and the four above mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar

Kapat Opening:- The Kapat of Shri Kedarnath Temple will open on 7th May 2008