Adi Badri, Chamoli – The Temple

Adi Badri, Chamoli – The Temple

Adi Badri temple is a group of 16 temples adjacent to each other, belonging to the Gupta period. This is a tiny temple complex enclosed within a space of 14 metres (46 ft) X 30 metres (98 ft). The height of the temples varies from 2–6 metres (6.6–19.7 ft). All these temples are located in a space of about 42 by 85 feet. 

The main temple is dedicated to god Vishnu, which is built over a raised platform, with a small enclosure in a pyramidal form. The sanctum holds black stone 1-meter (3.3 ft) image of Vishnu. The image depicts Vishnu holding a mace, lotus and chakra (discus).

The sanctum is very narrow and cannot accommodate more than 3/4 persons at a time. The other temples are dedicated to Kali, Shiva, Janaki, Hanuman, Gauri Shankar, Satya Narayan, Ganesha, Garuda, Annapurna, Chakrabhan, Lakshmi Narayan, Kubera and Kali. All the temples look similar in style though vary slightly in size. Few temples have the niche images of Dwarapalas and few other niche images at the entrance.

As otherwise, all the temples exteriors are plain. The deities inside the temples do not seem to be old. A Kund (pond) is located within the premises is believed to be the origin source of the Saraswathi river. Brahmins from South India serve as chief priests in the temple. At present the entire temple sites are looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.