Badrinath – Tiruvadari Ashramam: The Crown Jewel of the Himalayas
Divya Desam 69 of 108 | Region: Vada Nadu (Northern India)
Badrinath, revered as Tiruvadariyaashramam in the Divya Desam tradition, sits majestically at an altitude of 10,500 feet amidst the snow-capped Himalayas. This sacred shrine is not only one of the 108 Divya Desams, but also the most prominent among the Pancha Badri temples and one of the Char Dham in Hindu pilgrimage.
Divine Highlights
- Moolavar: Badrinarayanan – seated in a meditative posture, carved out of Salagramam by Viswakarma
- Thayar: Aravindavalli Thayar, enshrined in the prakaram
- Theertham: Taptakundam (natural hot springs)
- Vimanam: Taptakanchana Vimanam
Sacred Geography and Pancha Prayags
Pilgrims reach Badrinath after crossing the five sacred confluences (Pancha Prayag) of the Alakananda:
- Devaprayag – Bhagirathi & Alakananda
- Rudraprayag – Alakananda & Mandakini
- Karnaprayag – Alakananda & Pindar
- Nandaprayag – Alakananda & Nandakini
- Vishnuprayag – Vishnu Ganga & Dhauliganga
These confluences sanctify the journey, culminating at Badrinarayanan’s sacred abode.
Pancha Badri – Five Faces of Vishnu in the Himalayas
Badrinath is the primary among five sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in this region:
- Vishal Badri – Main temple (Badrinath)
- Yogadhyan Badri – Lord in meditative posture
- Bhavishya Badri – Badri of the future
- Vriddha Badri – Original shrine crafted by Vishwakarma
- Adi Badri – Installed by Adi Shankara
Azhwar Mangalaasaasanam
- Tirumangai Azhwar – 968–987, 2673 (74)
- Periyaazhwar – 399
(Pasuram numbers as found in Naalayira Divya Prabandham)
Legends and Spiritual Significance
The image of Badrinarayanan was carved by Vishwakarma from Salagramam stone, and the Lord sits beneath the Badari tree, flanked by Kubera and Garuda. This site has been extolled by sages and visited by Adi Shankaracharya, who is credited with reviving the temple and installing the deity.
The Taptakundam hot springs, near the temple, serve as a purifying bath for pilgrims before darshan. The Brahma Kapalam, located on the banks of the Ganga nearby, is where devotees perform pitr tarpanam (rites for ancestors).
The temple complex also includes shrines for Lakshmi Narasimhar, Sri Ramanujacharya, and Sri Vedanta Desikar, representing the convergence of Vaishnavite theology and practice.
Experience the Himalayas with SouthGuru Holidays
Walk the sacred path of the Azhwars and sages through the Himalayan Divya Desams. Our specially curated Yatra includes Devaprayag, Joshimath (Tiruppirudi), and Badrinath – with comfortable travel and spiritually immersive experiences.
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