Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand – Literary Mention
The temple finds mention in several ancient books
like Bhagavata Purana, Skanda
Purana and Mahabharata. According to the Bhagavata
Purana, "there in Badrikashramam the
Personality of Godhead (Vishnu), in his incarnation as the sages Nar and
Narayana, had been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the
welfare of all living entities". The Skanda Purana states
that "there are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell;
but there is no shrine like Badrinath". The area around Badrinath is also
celebrated in Padma Purana as
abounding in spiritual treasures.
The Mahabharata revered the holy place as the
one which can give salvation to devotees arriving close to it, while in other
holy places they must perform religious ceremonies. The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, in 1 hymn in the 7th – 9th
century Vaishnava canon by Periazhwar and in 21 hymns by Thirumangai
Azhwar. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as
Badrinath. Tirumangai Alwar the Tamil Alwar saint of the 9th century CE,
mentions Badri in his work Siriya Thirumadal, and praises its glory in two
decads of 10 verses each.
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