The sacred Panch Badri temples of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand state is considered as the Devbhoomi (land of the gods). There is a dwelling place of many deities, one of them is the Panch Badri temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Panch Badri temples mean a group of five temples. Panch Badri temples include Badrinath, Adi Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Vridha Badri and Yoga Dhyan Badri. All these temples are situated in Uttarakhand state. These five temples are known as Panch Badri of Uttarakhand. Badrinath Temple is a huge temple of Lord Vishnu, the remaining are four other smaller temples, where Lord Vishnu is worshipped with five different names. All these temples in Hinduism are an important pilgrimage place. The tour of these temples is considered auspicious by the pilgrims in the traditions.

1. Badrinath

Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is a Hindu temple, which is counted among Panch Badri of Uttarakhand. Badrinath Temple is one of the four Dhams of Uttarakhand along with India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, between the two mountain ranges named Nar and Narayan on the left bank of the Alaknanda river. This is a huge temple of Lord Vishnu built in ancient style. Within the temple, the statue of Lord Vishnu is made of black stone (Shaligram stone). This temple is also called "Vaikuntha of Earth". The priest of Badrinath temple is from the state of Kerala in South India. This temple of Lord Vishnu is situated in the lap of nature.

2. Adi Badri

Adibadri is a huge group of ancient temples, the ancient name of this temple was "Narayan Math". This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is counted in Panch Badri of Uttarakhand. This temple is a group of 16 ancient temples. It is believed that it was Lord Vishnu's penance site. Adi Gur Shankaracharya came first in this area, since then this place has been called as "Adibadri". This temple has a statue of Lord Vishnu's Kali Shaligram. It is said that these temples were constructed by the Pandavas, who came to Uttarakhand while going to Paradise.

3. Bhavishya Badri

The Bhavishya Badri is a famous religious and sacred temple, which is situated in the middle of the dense forests. The Bhavishya Badri Temple is one of Panch Badri temples in Uttarakhand. This temple was founded by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. Adi Guru Shankaracharya also wrote a prophecy on a stone near the temple, which till date no one could read. There is a statue of Lord Vishnu's Shaligram in the temple. It is believed that at the end of Kaliyug, when the path of Badrinath Dham will be blocked when Jai-Vijay mountain is among themselves met, then Lord Badri Vishal will darshan an in the Bhavishya Badri temple only to the devotees.

4. Vridha Badri

The Vridha temple is a famous religious temple, which comes in Panch Badri of Uttarakhand. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in this temple. In Vridha temple, Lord Vishnu's idol is in the form of an aged man. It is believed that in order to please Lord Vishnu, Devarshi Narad had done penance here. Pleased with the penance of Devarshi Narada, Lord Vishnu appeared as an aged and answered the penance of Devarshi Narada. Hence this temple is known as Vridha Badri. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in this temple as an aged man. This is one of the Panch Badri temples of Lord Vishnu.

5. Yoga Dhyan Badri

The Yoga Dhyan Badri temple is a religious temple, which comes in Panch Badri of Uttarakhand. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in this temple. Inside the temple, the statue of Lord Vishnu is in meditation posture, therefore this temple is called Yoga Dhyan Badri temple. It is believed the idol of Lord Vishnu in the temple was established by Pandu, the father of Pandavas, the hero of the Mahabharata. It is said that after the Mahabharata war when Pandavas were going to heaven, they came to this holy temple. This is one of the Panch Badri temples of Lord Vishnu.