► Badrinath: I meditate on the ancient Badarikashrama which is beginningless like the Vedas and where Lord Hari Himself is the presiding deity; where great personages meditated since time immemorial and attained salvation.
• Greatness:
Badarikashrama Kshetra - Swayam Vyakta Kshetra (Badrinath):(3300 m)
River Alakananda
☗ Nara Parvat
☗ Narayana Parvat
▬ River Alakananda flows
1. Swayam Vyakta Kshetra: Badrinath is one of the Swayam Vyakta Kshetras (Srirangam, Srimushnam, Venkatadri, Salagrama, Naimisha, Thoyadri or Thotadri, Pushkara, Nara Narayana Ashrama).
2. All India Char Dham: Badrinath is one of the All India Char Dhams (Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarka).
3. Uttarakhand Char Dham: Badrinath is one of the Uttarakhand Char Dhams (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri).
4. Divya Desam: Badrinath is one of the Divya Desams (Thiruvadariyasramam).
5. Place of Penance of devas and sages: Ancient Badarikashrama was the place of penance of many sages and divine personages like Nara-Narayana rishis, Agni Deva, sage Narada, sage Markandeya. Sri Garuda etc.
Presence of Lord Vishnu in Badrinath (Badarikashrama):
• Presence of Lord Vishnu: Badari is beginningless like the Vedas and where Lord Hari Himself is the presiding deity.
• Penance of sages Nara-Narayana: In Badarikashrama, sages Nara and Narayana, who are the incarnations of the Lord, has been undergoing intense long penance for the welfare of the world.
(Srimad Bhagavatam - Adhyaya 3 - 4.22)
► Badrinath
Badrinath is a Swayam Vyakta Sthalam of Lord Vishnu.
• Penance of Agni deva: Agni deva performed penance in Badarikashrama to get rid of his sins due to his omnivorousness.
► Badrinath - Tapt Kund or Agni Kund
The Tapt Kund or Agni Kund of Badrinath is identified with the abode of Agni deva.
• Penance of sage Narada: Sage Narada performed penance in Badarikashrama to get the vision of Lord Vishnu.
► Badrinath - Narada Shila
The Narada Shila of Badrinath is identified with the place where sage Narada performed penance.
• Penance of sage Markandeya: Sage Markandeya performed penance in Badarikashrama to obtain steady devotion of the Feet of the Lord.
► Badrinath - Markandeya Shila
The Markandeya Shila of Badrinath is identified with the place where sage Markandeya performed penance.
• Penance of Sri Garuda: Sri Garuda performed penance in Badarikashrama to become the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
► Badrinath - Garuda Shila
The Garuda Shila of Badrinath is identified with the place where Sri Garuda performed penance.
Presence of Lord Varaha in Badrinath (Badarikashrama):
• Presence of Lord Varaha: After killing demon Hiranyaksha the Lord abided in Badarikashrama in the form of a rock.
► Badrinath - Varaha Shila
The Varaha Shila of Badrinath is identified with the place where Lord Varaha abided in the form of a rock.
Presence of Lord Narasimha in Badrinath (Badarikashrama):
• Presence of Lord Narasimha: After killing demon Hiranyakasipu the Lord abided in Badarikashrama in the form of a rock.
► Badrinath - Narasimha Shila
The Narasimha Shila of Badrinath is identified with the place where Lord Narasimha abided in the form of a rock.
Presence of Lord Shiva in Badrinath (Badarikashrama):
• Presence of Lord Shiva: At Badarikashrama, Lord Shiva got freed from the skull of Lord Brahma which stuck to his hands.
► Badrinath - Brahma Kapal
Brahma Kapal of Badrinath is identified with the place where Lord Shiva got freed from the skull of Lord Brahma which stuck to his hands.
• Location:
• Badrinath is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Badrinath (Chamoli district, Uttarakhand):
► Badrinath - Brahma Kapal