Adi Badri, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Adi Badri, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Adi Badri is a Hindu Temple complex located in Chamoli District in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Adi Badri is situated in the hill ranges beyond’ Karnaprayag (confluence of Pindar River and Alaknanda River. It is a group of sixteen temples, belonging to the Gupta period. The Chief Temple is the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. At present the entire temple sites are looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India. Adi Badri is an architectural marvel on the Himalayas.

Unlike other temples of Himalayas including the most important temples such as Badrinath and Kedarnath which have the recent structures, the structure of Adi Badri is very ancient. Adi Badri is part of famous Panch Badri and Saptha Badri Temples of Uttarakhand. The Adi Badri is the first temple complex among Badri temples. Adi Badri temple opens on Makar Sankranti and closes in the month of November.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/02/adi-badri-chamoli-legends.html

History

Adi Badri is an architectural marvel on the Himalayas. Unlike other temples of Himalayas including the most important temples such as Badrinath and Kedarnath which have the recent structures, the structure of Adi Badri is very ancient. Adi Badri is not a single temple. But it is a cluster of 16 small temples. 14 out of these 16 temples still exist in the original form. 7 temples in this group were built in the late Gupta period, between the 5^th century CE to 8^th century CE. 

According to tradition, Adi Shankara is attributed as builder of all the temples. Adi Shankara is believed to have sanctioned these temples in order to spread Hinduism to every remote part of the country. In ancient times, when approach to the main shrine of Badrinath was closed due to weather conditions, pilgrims worshipped Vishnu at this temple. Adi Badri, also known as Helisera according to revenue records.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/02/adi-badri-chamoli-temple.html

Religious Significance

Pancha Badri:

As this temple was the first one of the five Badri temple of Uttarakhand, where the worship been started first, so the temple is called as "Adi Badri". These five Badris are - Adi Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Yogathyan Badri, Vriddha Badri & Badri Vishal of Badrinath. Few people omit Vriddha Badri and instead include Narasinga Badri.

Saptha Badri:

The seven temples of Badri in and around Badrinath are called as Sapta Badri temples. They are Badrinath, Adi Badri, Vriddha Badri, Dhyan Badri, Ardha Badri, Bhavishya Badri and Yogathyan Badri. Hence, Adi Badri is one of the Sapta Badri sites. Some people include Narasinga Badri as one of the Sapta Badri sites.

Pilgrimage:

The Adi Badri pilgrimage was initiated by Adi Shankar in the 8th century AD. Every year during summers in May-June pilgrims visit Adi Badri and on Kartika Poornima (Nov – Dec) pilgrims visit this temple to participate on the Kapal Mochan fair. The worshippers take holy dip in Kapal Mochan Kund and worship the idol. Adi Badri is an integral part of Lord Vishnu’s abodes and one must pay visit to this place once in her / his life time.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 15 Kms from Chulakot, 19 Kms from Karnaprayag, 113 Kms from Ranikhet, 189 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 192 Kms from Rishikesh, 212 Kms from Haridwar, 213 Kms Haridwar Railway Station, 207 Kms from Dehradun Airport and 446 Kms from New Delhi Airport. This temple is situated at about 19 Kms from Karnaprayag on the sub highway of Ranikhet Road of Uttarakhand. Adi Badri is an hour's drive from Karnaprayag and close to Chulakot on the way to Ranikhet.

Rishikesh is the major starting point for road journey to Joshimath. Regular buses operate from Rishikesh Bus Station to Adi Badri via Karnaprayag. The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh, which has a small railway terminal. Haridwar Railway junction, 24 Kms farther from Rishikesh, has train connections to most of the major cities in India. Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.

Location