INCRIDIBLE KEDARNATH DHAM

Location :-

Giriraj is situated on the top of the Himalayas called Kedar, the highest Kedareswara Jyotirlinga among the twelve Jyotirlingas of the country. Kedarnath Dham and temple are surrounded by mountains on three sides. On one side there is about 22 thousand feet high Kedarnath, on the other side is 21 thousand 600 feet high Bhartkund and on the third side is 22 thousand 700 feet high Bharatkund.

 Not only three mountains but also a confluence of five rivers is here - Mandakini, Madhuganga, Kshirganga, Saraswati and Swarnagouri. Some of these rivers no longer exist, but Mandakini, a tributary of Alaknanda, is still present today. Kedareshwar Dham is on its banks. There is heavy snow in winter and tremendous water in rain.

About Kedarnath Temple:-

It is the largest Shiva temple in Uttarakhand, built by connecting huge rock cut stones. These rocks are brown in color. The temple is built on a platform about 6 feet high. Its sanctum sanctorum is relatively ancient, believed to be around the 80th century.In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, Ardha has four strong stone pillars at the four corners, through which the pradakshina passes through. Ardha, which is square, is polished from the inside and is relatively new. The sabhamandapa is huge and magnificent. Its roof rests on four huge stone pillars. The huge roof is made of a single stone. There are eight male proof sculptures in the obsolescence, which are extremely artistic.

Kedarnath Temple is 85 feet high, 187 feet long and 80 feet wide. Its walls are 12 feet thick and made of extremely strong stones. The temple stands on a 6-foot-high platform. It is a wonder how the temple would have been carved by bringing such heavy stones at such a height. Especially how this giant roof was placed on the pillars. Interlocking techniques have been used to connect stones to each other. It is this strength and technology that has managed to keep the temple standing in the middle of the river.

ALSO READ :-  BADRINATH DHAM STORY BEHIND IT

 Construction history of the temple:

 According to the Puranic story, on the Kedar Shringa of the Himalayas, the great sage Mahatapasvi and incarnation of Lord Vishnu used to do penance. Pleased with his worship, Lord Shankar appeared and according to his request provided the bride to live forever as a Jyotirlinga. This place is located on the Kedarnath mountain Raja called Kedar in the Himalayas.

This temple was first built by the Pandavas behind the existing temple, but due to the beating of time, this temple disappeared. Later in the 8th century, Adishankaracharya built a new temple, which was buried in snow for 400 years.

According to Rahul Sankrityayan, this temple dates back to 12-13th century. Historian Dr. Shiva Prasad Dabral believes that Shaivites have been going to Kedarnath before Adi Shankaracharya, even then this temple was present. It is believed that the pilgrimage to Kedarnath has been going on for a thousand years. It is said that the ancient temple of Kedareshwar Jyotirlinga was built by the Pandavas. Later it was renovated by Janmejaya, grandson of Abhimanyu.

Time to open the doors(kapaat) of the temple: 

The temple gates are closed during the winter season on the second day (Padwa) of Deepavali Mahaparva. The lamp keeps on burning for 6 months. The priests close the honor boards and take the Deity and punishment of God to Ukhimath under the mountain for 6 months. After 6 months, the doors of Kedarnath open in May, then the journey to Uttarakhand begins.

No one lives in and around the temple for 6 months, but for the 6 months of wonder, the lamp also keeps on burning and there is constant worship. After the opening of the valve, it is also a matter of surprise that the same cleanliness is found as they left.

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BADRINATH DHAM

 

LOCATION :-

Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is a Hindu temple.This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is located in the city of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India.Badrinath Temple, Chardham and Chota Chardham are among the pilgrimage sites.

It is situated on the left bank of the Alaknanda River between two mountain ranges called Nar and Narayan. He is one of the five Badri. In Uttarakhand, Panch Badri, Panch Kedar and Panch Prayag are important from the mythological point of view and Hindu religion.

 This temple is dedicated to Badrinath as Lord Vishnu. It is located 214 kilometers north of Rishikesh.Badrinath temple is the main attraction in the city. This temple of Lord Vishnu, built in ancient style, is very huge. Its height is about 15 meters. According to legend, Lord Shankar discovered the image of Badrinarayan on a black stone in the Alaknanda River above the stone of Shaligram. It was originally built in a cave near the Tapt kund (hot springs).

Establishment of Badrinath temple -

In the sixteenth century, the king of Garhwal lifted the idol and took it to the present Badrinath temple and got it installed. And it is also believed that Adi Guru Shankaracharya built the temple in the 8th century. 

According to the system of Shankaracharya, the priest of the temple is from the state of Kerala in South India.There is a huge temple of Lord Vishnu and the entire temple is situated in the lap of Prakriti.This temple is divided into three parts, the sanctum sanctorum, darshanamandapa and sabhamandapa. 15 Murtiya are installed inside the temple of Badrinathji. Also, there is a meter high black stone statue of Lord Vishnu inside the temple. This temple is also called "Vaikunth of the earth". In Badrinath temple, offerings of van-tulsi garland, raw pulses of gram, kernel balls and sugar candy etc. are offered.

ALSO READ:- INCRIDIBLE KEDARNATH DHAM

According to folklore, the establishment of the Badrinath Temple: -

According to the legend, this place was arranged as Lord Shiva Bhumi (Kedar Bhoomi). 

Lord Vishu was looking for a place for his meditation and he was very fond of the place of Shivbhumi near Alaknanda. At the present Charanpaduka site (near Neelkanth mountain), he took a child form near the confluence of sage Ganga and Alaknanda river and started crying. Hearing the sound of their cry, Mother Parvati and Shiva came to that child and asked that boy what do you want. So the child asked for the place of Shivbhumi (Kedar Bhoomi) to meditate. In this way Lord Vishnu changed form and got Shivbhumi (Kedar Bhoomi) from Shiva Parvati to do his meditation. This holy place is also known as Badrivishal today.

How Badrinath temple got its name Badrinath

There is an interesting story behind it, it is said that once Goddess Lakshmi went away from Lord Vishnu to her maternal home. Then Lord Vishnu started penance to celebrate Goddess Lakshmi. When Goddess Lakshmi's resentment went away. So Goddess Lakshmi looking for Lord Vishnu reached the place where Lord Vishnu was doing penance. At that time there was a forest of Badri (beds) at that place. Lord Vishnu had done penance by sitting in a bed tree, so Lakshmi Ji named Lord Vishnu as "Badrinath".

Beliefs of Badrinath Temple

1. According to the mythological beliefs of the Badrinath temple, when the river Ganga was descending on the earth, the river Ganga got divided into 12 streams. Therefore, the stream present at this place became famous as Alaknanda. And Lord Vishnu made this place his abode and this place was later called "Badrinath". 

2. The belief of the Badrinath temple is also that in ancient times this place used to be filled with bero trees. Hence the name of this place was Badri Forest. And it is also said that in this cave "Ved Vyas" wrote Mahabharata and this place was his last stop before Pandavas went to heaven. Where they stayed

3. There is a main saying about Badrinath temple. (History and recognition of Badrinath temple!)

"Whoever goes, Badri, don't come Odri"

 That is, the person who sees Badrinath. He does not have to come into the mother's womb. This means that the one who has vision gets to heaven. The belief of Badrinath temple is that at the rate of Lord Badrinath all the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled.

4. The belief of Badrinath Dham is that Lord Shiva got freedom from killing Brahm in Badrinath.The memory of this incident is known as "Brahmakpal". Brahmakapal is a tall rock. Where ancestors are worshiped, Shraddh is performed. It is believed that the ancestors get freedom by performing Shraddha here.

 5. It is also said about this place that Nar and Narayan, the parts of Lord Vishnu, did penance at this place. Males were born in the next life as Arjuna and Narayana as Shri Krishna.

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