Pilgrimage to Badrinath-India
PILLGRIMAGE TO BADRIKASHRAMAM
The pilgrimage to Badrikaashramam has been my dream project which came true in the month of May 2008 with the grace of Lord BadriNarayanan. I am told earlier that unless the destiny is in your favor, everyone will not make it. I had the privilege so kindly granted by the Almighty. I was accompanied by my wife Mythili and our second son Rangaswamy @ Sathyan. My brother in laws Narasimhan and Parthasarathy joined us from Delhi along with their wives Latha and Bhanu. Parthan’s son Hari also decided to join us and flew from Lon Angles for this purpose.
The pilgrimage was organized very efficiently by Sri Sunil Narasimhan of Delhi. He has been visiting Badrikaashramam every year for the last many Years and so far he has visited the shrine for 58 times. The entire group of 48 pilgrims, from Mumbai, Chennai and Coimbatore assembles at Balaji Temple at R K Puram on the night of 8th May 2008 and we left by 2 luxury coaches driven by efficient and experienced Sardarji drivers.
We reached Rishikesh on the early morning of 9th and arrangement was made at Srirangam Andavan Ashramam for our overnight stay. We took our holy bath at the Ganges at the throw away distance from our place.
Rishikesh:
Hṛṣīkeśa" is a name of Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'.[Rishikesh is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India. The place gets its name, after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi' [3], as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh [4]. In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree [2].
Historically, Rishikesh, has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal), the abode of Shiva [5]. Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshman, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganga, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by a stronger present bridge. Even today, the western bank of the bridge has a Lakshman temple, and across it lies a temple dedicated to Lord Rama; also present nearby is a temple of his other brother, Bharata, which also finds mention in the 'Kedar Khand'
The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains Himalayas, and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries. Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world-capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga centers that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. It is also becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges.
The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges. These include Rishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub; the sprawling suburb Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda, north of Hrishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple from here. The Ganga Arati performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors. 'Neelkanth Mahadev Temple', situated 12 km from Rishikesh, amidst forest is also a popular local pilgrimage, along with 'Vasishtha Gufa', (Cave of sage Vasishtha), 21 km up from the town by the Ganges.
Rishikesh is also home to the 120-year old Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution.
During the mid-1960s, The Beatles visited, the now closed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh [8], John Lennon, even recorded a song here, titled, 'The Happy Rishikesh Song' [9] [10] Several other artists, including Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Donovan and Gyp Mills, visited the site to contemplate and meditate. More recently, the place has been of interest to celebrities including Hollywood star Kate Winslet.
We have visited the important temples and also the Sivananda Saraswati Ashram and Omkareshwarananda Ashram
Upon his return to India he visited Banaras, Nasik, to Rishikesh in 1924 where met his guru, Swami Vishwananda Saraswati. It was Vishwananda who initiated him into the Sannyas order and gave him his monastic name.[2] However, since Sivananda spent only a few hours with Swami Vishwananda, the full Viraja Homa ceremonies were performed later by Swami Vishnudevananda (not to be confused with his own later disciple, Swami Vishnu-devananda), the Mahant of Sri Kailas Ashram.[2] After initiation, Sivananda settled in Rishikesh and immersed himself in intense spiritual practices. Sivananda performed austerities for many years but he also continued to help the sick. With some money from his insurance policy that had matured, he started a charitable dispensary at Lakshmanjula in 1927 and served pilgrims, holy men and the poor using his medical expertise.
After a few years, Sivananda went on an extensive pilgrimage and traveled the length and breadth of India to meditate at holy shrines and study with spiritual teachers throughout India. During this Parivrajaka (wandering monk) life, Sivananda visited important places of pilgrimage in the south, including Rameshvaram.[2] He conducted Sankirtan and delivered lectures during his travels. He visited the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and met Maharishi Suddhananda Bharati. At the Ramana ashram, he had the Darshan of Ramana Maharshi on Maharshi's birthday.[3] He sang bhajans and danced in ecstasy with Maharshi's bhaktas. He also went on pilgrimages to various places in northern India including Kedarnath and Badrinath. He visited Kailash-Manasarovar in 1931.
During Sivananda's stay in Rishikesh and his travels around India, many came to him for guidance in the spiritual path. He permitted some of them to live near him and instructed them. Sivananda asked his students take copies of his short articles and send them for publication. Slowly, large number of people started coming to him and his circle started growing.
Sivananda founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 on the banks of the holy Ganges River. The free distribution of spiritual literature drew a steady flow of disciples to the Swami, including the young U.G. Krishnamurti, who studied with him for seven summers, and Swami Satyananda Saraswati, founder of Satyananda Yoga.
In 1945, Swami Sivananda created the Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy, and organized the All-world Religions Federation. He established the All-world Sadhus Federation in 1947 and Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy in 1948. He called his yoga the Yoga of Synthesis.
Omkarananda Ashram
is a spiritually focused non-political, scientific, cultural, educational, humanitarian, Charitable Trust, which persistently strives to provide untiring selfless service for spiritual enhancement and to create an infinite source of happiness and bliss through God realization in daily life.
The Ashram was established by Sage and Philosopher Swami Omkarananda who is an embodiment of highest spirituality, with the prime objective to love, serve and help all equally.
The Ashram aims to create a sanctum where spirituality encompasses every action, where truth attains a personality, divine love becomes an all-pervading reality and peace becomes an eternal constant companion.
The Ashram has personally volunteered various service projects and activities to serve and uplift the various communities through its 2 registered Trusts
Our visits to these two Ashramam have been an eye opener and we could experience the calm and religious atmosphere throughout the places. The charitable activities of the Ashramam are commendable. Educational institutions are run by Omkarananda Ashram for the benefit of the children over the entire state of Utracnchal, some of them in the remote corner of Himalayan Mountain areas. College to award MBA degree is also run at Rishikesh by the ashram.
The group members recited Vishnu Sahasranamam in the evening before dinner and rested for the night.
On the early morning of 10th, we left for a place called Piplakoti
Here, Dharamasala and a guest house are available for pilgrims/tourists, which is maintained and run by the Temple Committee. There is, besides, a Tent Colony and Tourist Bungalow run by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and a P.W.D. Rest House. We stayed at a private lodging house. From our hotel, we could see the wonderful snow packed Neelkanth Parvath, the highest mountain in our Country. The journey from Rishikesh to Piplakoti took the whole day and we reached there only in the evening.
On the way to Piplakoti, we halted at Devprayag,
The road leading from Devprayag to Piplokoti is entirely on the Himalayan Mountain range. On one side, you could see the river Alaknanda flowing down the road-around 1000 meters. On the other side, the mountain walls are running through the road. The width of the road would be around 40 feet only. Short wheeled buses could only travel on these roads. Plenty of hair pin curves have to be covered. Ups and downs are constant and unless the driver is experienced to drive on such roads, you are at risk of your life.
We left Piplakoti on the early morning of 11th as we have to reach the entry gate by 6.30 AM or otherwise we have to wait for another 3 hours. The entry to the roads for the vehicles both from Piplakoti side as well as from Badrinath is allowed once 3 hours.
We reached the heavenly abode of Badrikaashramam at 12noon.
Here I would like to take the help from the various web sites dedicated for Badrinath, instead of myself attempting to explain the significance of this holy place compared with other places.
Badrikashram has been known by different names in different times:
In the Satyug it was called the Muktiprada because in this era Lord Narayan himself resided in the Badrivan (the forest of Badri Trees), his devotees could see him whenever they wished to.
In the Tretayug Lord Narayan was only visible to those who had acquired the vision after great sadhana (penance) and those who were yogamukt. Since Lord Narayan could only be seen by the few, who had meditated, the place came to be known as Yogasiddhit.
In the Dwaparyug this region became very well known. Its fame spread far and wide, as a result large number of people flocked to see Lord Narayan and so the place came to be known as Vishala, which means very large.
Badri trees grew in abundance in this region, so in time this place came to be known as Badrikashram
Lord Narayan
"Dwapareya samanu praaptey vishalayaa vishal dhee
Bhagwan drishyate naïve tatra ki kaaran vad"
"O Lord Brahma! unlike the past yugas, in this Dwaparyug we are deprived of the darshan (audience) of Narayan! Has the lord abandoned Badrikashram? If so where does he reside now?"
Lord Brahma said that inspite of all his meditative energy he was unable to find out where Narayan was and directed them to Lord Shiva for a solution. Lord Brahma and the sages then sought Shiva at the Kailash Parbat and asked him where Narayan could be found but he too had no answer to where Narayan had disappeared. He suggested that they all go to Vaikuntha as only Lord Vishnu himself would be able to tell them the whereabouts of Narayan.
Thus Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and all the sages went to meet Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha Lok (paradise, the abode of Lord Vishnu). They recited stotras (chants) and invoked Lord of Vaikuntha -Lord Vishnu himself. The Lord did not reveal himself but communicated through his divine voice-The Akashwani and he said:
"Bhalloi na darshanam yami sav dharma bahishkritye"
O sages! It is not just the truly devoted who come to Badrikashram, those who pretend to be bhaktas(devotees) but do not really revere me have also started coming to the Badrikashram.
"Yadi vo darshane sharddha mandpasth sureshwara
Gruhadhwam mamkin moorti shaili narad kundanam"
Those people who do not have the Bhakti and Shraddha (devotion) shall not have the privilege of my Darshan as I will not be visible though I will continue to reside in the Badrikashram. For those devotees who have Bhakti(faith) and Devotion I am present in the form of a stone in the Narad Kund (a pond or lake near Alaknanda river)
If you feel devoted you can worship me in the form of a deity in the temple, you can remove the Idol of Lord Narayan from the Naradkund, create a temple around it and experience
The Hinyaan did not believe in idolatry. On the other hand the Mahayaanis were idol worshippers. The road to the Tibet based Kailash Mansarovar passed through Badrikashram in those days. The people of the Mahayaan sect looked upon Lord Badrinath as another form of Buddha and paid their obeisance to him with reverence and faith. But the Hinyaan who were not idol worshippers started disturbing the peace of the Badrikashram. The situation worsened to the extent that the devotees found it difficult to protect the Lord’s idols. They came to the conclusion that since the earth is never seedless it will produce another great soul at some time. They put the idols of Lord Narayan back in the Naradkund. People of the mahayana sect fled from the Badri region to other places.
Wherever the ascetics of the Badri region lived also came to be known as the Panch Badri. As a result the actual location of Badri region became doubtful. When the divine bodied saadhakas (ascetics) could not see the idols of Lord Narayan in the Naradkund they were saddened and expressed their sorrow to Lord Shiva. They lamented that one could not receive darshan of the lord even in Badrikashram now and wondered at the cause. Lord Shiva meditated on this question and then told them what was revealed to him. He said that the trouble was not only in Badrikashram but in entire Bharat (India). The people of Bharat (India) had forgotten the ways of the Vedas. To re-establish Vedic thought and to revive the lost significance of the pilgrimage centers he said he would have to take birth as a mortal. After reassuring them he asked them to leave.
"Vipra bhairav datsya gehe gatva sa ve shiva
Tatputro bhumiloke shankronama: vishruta"
Thus Lord Shiv took birth in Southern Kerala in a village called Kaladi in the family of the Brahmin Bhairavdatta as Adi Sankaracharya.
When Adi Shankaracharya was 11 years old he and his fellow disciples arrived at Badrikashram. When he reached there early in the morning the fresh and divine breeze of Sushmaand Gandhmadna mountain moved him greatly and he spontaneously started reciting the Ashtapadi. After a few days he started looking for the divine idols of Badrinath along the southern part of the Alaknanda river. As he excavated along the left bank of the river he felt certain that the Naradkund also known as the Narayankund was between the Naradshila and the Varahshila. With this belief he dived into the pond. He found an idol. On bringing it out of the water and closely inspecting it he felt that it did not have any distinctive features to indicate it was a divine idol. He put it back into the water and again dived into the Narayankund and again found an idol but did not find anything distinctive about it. He dived the third time and again found an idol and just when he was about to put it back into the water a voice stopped him, which said that
‘I am Badrinath and have been consecrated by Brahma once before,’
The voice asked him to give this divine idol its rightful place.
Thus about 1200 years ago Badrinath was consecrated and worshipped by Adi Shankaracharya. The rituals and procedure of worship as laid out by Adi Shankaracharya is being practised at Badrinath till today. Srimad Bhagvad Gita has explained the significance of the temple and glory of Lord Shri Badrinarayan.
The temple’s present structure was built by the Kings of Garhwal about two centuries ago.The temple has three sections - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), The Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan.
Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana ��" vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujan Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana ��" vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. The search of man for his God has led him to various vicissitudes for discovery-the hope remains unquenched and springs for ever eternal. It has done so far countless centuries and will do so till God's world and his creation last. The quest begins and leads through the shrines put up by man for his creator's glorification.
Lord Badrinath ji is worshipped at five different places under five different names. These are as follows:
Badri Vishal :
Bhavishya Badri :
Yogdhyan Badri :
Vridha Badri :
Village Mana- Vyas Gufa
This village, located at a distance of 3 kms from Badri is the last Indian Village situated in the Indo-China Border and has gained historical importance on account of Vyas Caves. This village, located on the banks of River Saraswati (only place where this river can be seen) is very beautiful. Vyas Maharishi (Sage), author of Mahabharata is believed to have lived in the caves. These are named after him.
Rock formation inside the Vyas Guha appears to resemble the orderly stacking of palm leave manuscripts ��" oldest writing material and is worshipped as Vyas Pusthak. Vyas Maharishi is also considered, by some, as reincarnation of Vishnu and that is the reason he is called as Vyasa Bhagawan.
Vasuki Tal
This is a high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that ascends to 14,200 feet. Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasudhara Falls are 3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu mythology and form part of the pilgrimage to Badrinath.
Readers can now realise why Badrikaashramam is the holiest place among all other pilgrim centers.
On the second day at Badrikaashramam, Sunil Narasimhan has arranged for us to perform Pinda Tharpanam for the forefathers. We have paid Rs 380 to the temple authorities who arranged for the prohit to conduct the Tharpanam. Pindam made out of rice was first offered to Lord BadriNarayanan as Naivedhyam and then used for Pinda Tharpanam. The prohit, hailing from Guntur (Andhra) was able to converse in Telugu as well as Tamil. He conducted the entire rituals in an organized and elaborate manner. When we have completed the rituals, every one of us had the maximum satisfaction in our heart and fond hopes that our forefathers would continue to shower their blessings on us and our family.
In the afternoon, we visited the Village Mana, the last one on the Indian Territory. There is a tea shop with a name board indicating that it is the last tea shop in our land. We visited the cave where the sage Vyasa Bhagawan composed the Mahabaratham with the help of Lord Ganesh, whose temple also is very near to the cave. In this cave only Vyasa has also divided the entire Vedas into four divisions as Yajur, Rik, Sama and Adharvanam. Legend says that Adi Sankaracharya met Vyasa Mamuni in this cave.
We had been to the p[lace where the holy river Saraswathy originates
We were told that the border between India and Tibet (China) is just another 22 kilometers only from the Village Mana.
In the evening we had the Darshan of BadriNarayanan again. There were no queues and one could go into the garbagruham within 20 minutes. Some of our group members attended the early morning Vishwarupa Darshanam. The sandal paste applied on the previous evening is completely removed. The idol of Lord Badrinarayan, made of black Salagram stone is shown to all the devotees by the chief priest. Then the Thirumanjanam is performed with Vedic rituals. Then the deity is decorated with flowers and colorful silk vastrams. We have missed to have the Vishwarupa darshanam, fearing for the severe cold and chillness in the early morning. We are worried about the inadequate supply of the oxygen at that height from the sea level. We did not want to take any risk. Later on when people who witnessed the Thirumanjanam explained the rituals, we thought that we should have attended without worrying for the cold climate as Lord BadriNarayanan would have taken care of us.
Next day i.e. on 13th, we started climbing down the mountain range to a place called SRINAGAR for the night halt. This place doesn’t have any relevance to the Srinagar in Kashmir.
On the way we made a halt at another famous pilgrim centre- Jyoshimath.
Joshimath
When Badrinath closes during the winter, the priests from the Badrinath Temple come to Joshimath and continue worship at the Narasimha Temple. The utsava-murti (moving deity) of Badri Vishal is brought to Pandukeswar@ Narasimhar Temple for worship. There is the ancient Vasudeva Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
One of the four main Shankaracharya mutts (maths) is located here. It is said that Adi Shankaracharya meditated in a cave here and attained Samadhi (enlightenment) about 1,200 years ago under the Kalpavriksa tree (Shahtoot/Mulberry).
In the lower part of the town are the Gauri Shankar Siva and Nava Durga temples. Tapovan, 11km north of Joshimath along the Curzon Trail, is known for its hot springs.
Narasimhadeva
In this temple is a Deity of Lord Narasimha, which is self-manifested from a shalagram-shila. He is about 25cm (10 in) high and remarkably detailed, sitting in a lotus position. To the right of Lord Narasimha are Sita, Rama, Hanuman, and Garuda. Against the left wall is a deity of Chandika, which is another name for Kali. On the altar to the right of Lord Narasimha are deities of Kubera, Uddhava, and Badri Vishal. There is an altar for Lakshmi Devi just outside the door of the temple.
Shankaracharya
This temple is said to be over 1,200 years old. It is open from 5 am to 8.30 pm. This temple and the Vasudeva Temple, just 30m away, are located in the bottom part of the town, about a three minute walk from the Kedar Holy Home Guest House. Everyone knows where this temple is located.
Vasudeva
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, recognized by the Tamil Nadu Vaishnava saints as being very important Vishnu temples. The black carved stone Deity of Lord Vasudeva is about 2m (6 ft) tall. He stands with his associates Sri, Bhu, Nila, and Kama. This temple is about 30m from the Narasimhadeva Temple. To the left of the main entrance is a deity of dancing Ganesh, which is said to be one of only two such deities in India. This temple is very ancient, and no one knows exactly how old it is.
Shankaracharya Math (Mutt)
This temple is located on the ridge above the upper part of the town. If you enter the temple and follow the signs to your left, you come to the cave where Shankaracharya is said to have meditated. If you go up the steps to the right of the temple entrance (before entering the temple complex), you come to the Kalpavriksa tree, where Shankaracharya is said to have attained self-realization. This 38m (125 ft) tall tree has a huge trunk and is said to be more than 2,400 years old. Shankaracharya wrote the Shankara Bhashyam in Joshimath.
After visiting the temples at Joshimath, we reached Srinagar in the evening for overnight stay.
Srinagar received its name from Sri Yantra. It is believed that with an objective of killing Kalasura (a demon) “Sri Yantra’ was established on a slab here and goddess killed the demon at a nearby place named Kaliyasaur. Long ago hundreds of tantric adepts especially those belonging to to the tradion of Sri Vidya, did their practices here. It included human sacrifices and prevailed until 8th Century when Adi Shankaracharya displaced the slab and hurled it into the Alakananda River. The said slab remains the most significant shrine in this area and even today lying on the river bed at outskirt of Srinagar. Old Srinagar was destroyed later in the Gohna lake dam-burst and lost all the old relics. Srinagar is home to H N Bahuguna Garhwal University.
After complete rest overnight at Srinagar,
Hardwar is one of the 4 holy cities along the Ganges
Hardwar or Hardwar has been given many names in the prehistoric times. Hardwar has a literal meaning that is the “gateway to the abode of Gods ". Lush green forests and small ponds adorn the scenic beauty of this holy land. In mythology Hardwar is known as Kapilsthaan, and its other names are Gangadwar, Tapovan, Mayapuri,... It is said that gods left their footprints on the land of Hardwar. Metaphorically they also left an indelible mark on the spiritual ethos of every Hindu - more so, the devout, who would later follow their holy paths all across this blessed land.
Hardwar has not only remained the abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit, but also served as a center of attraction for many, for learning the arts, science and culture. Hardwar is one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. And that is why the water at Hardwar is crystal clear and cool. Mythological drops of nectar churned out from the primordial ocean full at the four sites of the Kumbh Mela fair including Hardwar.The aarthy is shown to Ganga mathaji
Sunil Narasimhan has arranged for a grand treat for the lunch in the afternoon as thanks giving for the successful completion of Badrinath Yatra.
We left Hardwar late in the night and reached Balaji Mandir at RK Puram in the early morning of 15th.
To have born as a Brahmin and being a vaishnavite, everyone should make it a point to undertake the yatra to Badrikaashramam in this life. We felt on completion of this yatra that the purpose our birth and the life are fulfilled.
Jai Badrinathji ki.
