Badrinath, Kedarnath

Himalayas, the citadel of snow, is very sacred to the Indians. “Among mountains, I am Himalaya,” said Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. On these sacred ranges, at a height of over three thousand metres, is situated the famous temple of Badrinath. It is surrounded by high mountains. On one side is the Nara Narayan Parvat and on the other flows the Alakananda.

The deity is a manifestation of Vishnu and is known as Badrinarayan. The beautiful idol is seen in a meditative pose. On His forehead shines a large diamond and his body is covered with a variety of gold ornaments. Though Badrinath is an ancient, holy place, the temple and the deity were forgotten for a long time. It was Sri Sankaracharya, through meditation, who discovered that the deity was immersed in Alakananda and restored it to its former glory. The temple remains open for only six months in a year. It appears as if Nature keeps the place for herself during the six months, when it is covered with snow. During this period, a representative idol is worshipped at Joshimath. When the temple opens after winter, people witness a miracle – the lamp, which the priest lighted when he closed the temple doors, is still burning after six months.

The temple Kedarnath is dedicated to Siva. The path to Kedarnath is also blocked by snow and a representative deity is, therefore, worshipped at Ukhimath. The legend goes that the Pandava brothers, during their last journey, halted at Kedarnath. Draupadi had already breathed her last and on their arrival, Sahadeva, too, dropped down dead. Amidst the picturesque beauty of the place, the Pandavas sat meditating on Siva.  Since then, Siva has been worshipped at this holy place.

Source – Stories for Children – II

Published by – Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, Prashanti Nilayam