Char Dham Yatra

Yogadhyan Badri – Sapta Badri

August 29, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Sapta Badri, Vishnu Temples

Yogadhyan Badri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated at Pandukeshwar village near Govind Ghat in the district of Chamoli, Uttarakhand at an altitude of 1920 m. It is the fifth temple complex among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. It’s part of the famous ‘Sapta Badri‘ pilgrimage circuit. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra Package within Uttarakhand.

Know more about – Sapta Badri

Yogadhyan Badri – Facts

Deity	Lord Vishnu
Location	Pandukeshwar, Near Govind Ghat, Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Best Time to Visit	May to June and September to October
Darshan Timings	5 AM to 12 PM 2 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Krishna Janmashtmi, Makar Sankranti

In ancient times, the path to the temple went through the Badri van (Forest of berries). Hence, the suffix ‘Badri‘ is added to the seven holy shrines of Lord Vishnu.

What are the timings of Yogadhyan Badri?

Here are the timings of the temple:

Timings	From	To
Morning	5 AM	12 PM
Evening	2 PM	9 PM

What is the significance of Yogadhyan Badri?

The significance of Yogadhyan Badri is that it has a bronze image of Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that Pandu installed this image, which is depicted to be meditating (Dhyan). Hence, the name of the shrine comes from the posture of the image, and it is called ‘Yoga-Dhyan‘ Badri.

Yogadhyan Badri Significance — The temple has a Bronze image of Lord Vishnu.

Moreover, when the main temple of Badrinath closes down during winters because of extreme weather conditions, Yogadhyan Badri is considered to be the winter abode of the Utsava-murti (festive image) of Badrinath.

Hence, it is mandatory for a pilgrim to offer prayers at this place in order to complete his/her pilgrimage. Also, the chief priests of the temples are ‘Bhatts‘ from southern India

What is the history of Yogadhyan Badri?

The History of Yogadhyan states that:

According to the religious texts, the king Pandu worshipped here to get rid of him from the sin of killing of two mating deer; the two deer were ascetics in their previous lives.

Yogadhyan Badri History — The Pandavas were born at Yogadhyan Badri.

King Pandu died and attained salvation here. The Pandavas were also born here, so this place is very important in terms of the religious point of view. The king Pandu installed here an image of Vishnu in meditating posture thus the image got its name – Yogdhyan Badri. This idol is big and life-size carved out of Shaligram stone.
Pandavas had fought the war against Kauravas known as Mahabharat and after defeating the Kauravas, all Pandavas brothers came to this place for penance as they had killed their kith and kin in the war. From this place, the Pandavas had gone further to Swargarohini for paying their penance and finally reaching to heaven.

Idols of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Laxmi, and Madri are installed above a shivling inside the temple.

As per a copper plate inscription under the rule by early Katyuri Rajas this place has been identified as Panchal Desh.
Another historical location near this place is Suryakund, a hot water spring, where Kunti had given birth to her son Karna fathered by Sun God “Surya”. Kunti had got married to king Pandu at Pandukeshwar.
It is said that King Arjun also meditated here which attracted God Indra. God Indra sent Pari (angel) to distract Arjun from meditation but Arjun did not get distracted and finally, Indra God blessed Arjun. It is believed that the idol of Vishnu which is present at the temple was given by Indra God to Arjun as a gift.

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the hotel rooms.

What are the festivals celebrated at Yogadhyan Badri?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Yogadhyan Badri are:

Krishna Janmashtmi: It is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It occurs according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is a very important festival for the followers of Lord Vishnu.
Makar Sankranti: This festival occurs each year in January and is to appease the Sun God. It is the first day when Sun enters Capricorn and marks the lengthening of daytime in the forthcoming days. This day also includes colorful decorations, preparation of sweets with sesame seeds and children asking for treats and pocket money.

Adi Badri Festivals — Makar Sankranti and Krishna Janmashtmi are celebrated at the temple.

How to reach Yogadhyan Badri?

Here’s how to reach Yogadhyan Badri:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (210 km)
Train: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railway stations.
Road: Buses are available to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmere Gate. One can avail taxis or state transport buses to Joshimath which is 18 km away from Yogadhyan Badri.

Where to stay near Yogadhyan Badri?

Some of the places where one can stay near Yogadhyan Badri while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Hotel Sudarshan Palace: Hotel Sudarshan Palace has facilities such as 24-hour front desk, garden area and parking facility within its premises. Amenities such as bed, bottled drinking water, access to the common balcony and attached bathroom are available.
Hotel Kuber Annex: The facilities offered here are front desk, room service, power backup, STD PCO facility, doctor on call. Massage service is also available here so that guests can relax after trekking. A helicopter booking facility is also available at the hotel.
Hotel Heaven: The hotel offers facilities suchlike parking and telephone. With a team of skilled professionals, the property ensures the fulfillment of all needs of guests. Moreover, in case of medical emergencies, one can avail the doctor on call facility at the hotel.

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the hotel rooms.

What are the other Sapta Badri destinations?

The other Sapta Badri destinations are:

Adi Badri: It is the second among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. When Badrinath temple remains closed due to extremities in weather, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in Adi Badri temple. Moreover, the sanctum of the temple has an image of Lord Vishnu which is 1 meter high and has been carved out of black stone.
Vriddha Badri: It is the third among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. Devotees also believed that Adi Shankaracharya worshipped Badrinath here before enshrining Him in the main Badrinath temple. Vriddha Badri is temple is open for devotees and pilgrims throughout the year.
Bhavishya Badri: It is the fourth among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. According to beliefs, Lord Badri will take abode in Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kaliyuga. Even the name of the place literally translates to ‘Future Badri’, implying that it will be the future residence of Lord Badri.
Dhyan Badri: It is the sixth among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. It has an image of Lord Vishnu which Urvarishi established. This image of Vishnu is four-armed, made of black stone and in a meditative posture. Also, Brahmins from Southern India serve as head priests in the temple.
Ardha Badri: It is the seventh among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. In comparison to other temples, the idol of Lord Vishnu here is smaller. Hence, the name of the temple roughly means ‘the little Badri’.

These temples are also a part of the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand

June 28, 2022, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag is a manifestation in the spirit of the Hindu religion. The expression is used to signify the five holy river confluences in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

The word ‘Prayag’ breaks down to the confluence of two or more rivers. Moreover, Panch Prayag goes by the name ‘Panch Pentad’ in Sanskrit. Nevertheless, five confluences in the descending order of their existence are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Holy Pathways of Panch Prayag

Alaknanda originates from the triangular lake called Satopanth. It is present 4402 metres above sea level. Moreover, Satopanth gets its name from Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak Glaciers lying near Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand.

Holy trail of Panch Prayag — Satopanth is the origin of the Holy Alaknanda river.

In the course of 229 km from its origin Alaknanda crosses all the five Prayags. Moreover, it finally unifies with Bhagirathi and gives rise to the Holy Ganges or Ganga. Nevertheless, it continues to flow down further to Rishikesh and Haridwar that share the banks of Ganges in Uttarakhand.

Each Sangam or confluence has developed religious towns near them due to the inflow of pilgrims visiting Panch Kedar and Sapta Badri temples. Also, devotees take bath at these holy Sangam while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

The town names inspired by these confluences are titled as Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. However, Vishnuprayag does not have a town at its bank yet it is 12 km from Joshimath.

The Essence of the Five Prayags

According to Hindus, Prayag is the sacred Sangam of rivers where devotees take a dip before worship. Also, people arrive at these sacred sangams to perform the last rites for the dead. Moreover, the devotees worship holy confluences as God’s manifestation on Earth.

Essence of Panch Prayag — Dip in the holy waters of Prayag is believed to wash away ones sins.

However, the Prayag at Allahabad is considered to be the holiest. Nevertheless, the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand is just next to them. Apart from numerous tales from the Puranas, these Prayags are home to the amazing scenic beauty.

Moreover, the religious texts state that Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand is the Svargarohana route that the Pandavas took to reach heaven.

How to get to these confluences?

Rishikesh is the point of start for your Panch Prayag journey. It is near to Haridwar that has train connectivity to all the major cities of India. Moreover, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is at a distance of 18 km from Rishikesh.

Besides these, one can take a road trip to Rishikesh from different parts of the country. However, one can hire private taxis to Rishikesh as per their convenience.

From Rishikesh, the distance of the five Prayags are –

Name of the Prayag	Distance from Rishikesh
Vishnuprayag	263 km
Nandaprayag	193 km
Karnyaprayag	173 km
Rudraprayag	141 km
Devprayag	74 km

Portrayal of Panch Prayag

Vishnuprayag– After Alaknanda descends from Satopanth, Dhauliganga merges into it at this Sangam. Moreover, Ahlayabai, the queen of Indore constructed a Vishnu temple at this Prayag.
Nandaprayag– Here, Alaknanda meets Nandakini river and the two rivers unify. However, this confluence gets its name from King Nanda who performed yagna at this place in pursuit of a son.
Karnaprayag– This is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Pindar. Beliefs say that Krishna cremated Karna at this place only. Hence, there is a Karna temple by the banks of the confluence.
Rudraprayag– At this place, Mandakini river joins Alaknanda in its flow. Moreover, traditional tales suggest that Shiva appeared in its Rudra avatar at this place in front of Sage Narada. Hence, the place has Shiva temples in abundance.
Devprayag– This confluence gives birth to the mainstream Ganges as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify. Devprayag means ‘Godly confluence‘. Moreover, the inspiration of the confluence’s name is taken from sage Dev Sharma from Satyug, who got blessings from Lord Vishnu. Lord Ram also meditated here so it has many Ram temples too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Panch Prayag

Where is the Panch Prayag located?

Panch Prayag is present in the ‘God’s Land’ i.e. Uttarakhand.

Which river meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag?

Pindar meets Alaknanda at Karna Prayag.

How many Prayags are there in Uttarakhand?

As the name, Panch Prayag suggests there are five Prayag in Uttarakhand.

When should one visit these Prayags?

The best time to visit these Prayags is from March to October.

Kedarnath and Badrinath in August Weather – Should I go?

July 5, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 5 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra

It rains in Kedarnath and Badrinath during August. Monsoon in these places is risky and there are chances of landslides and floods. Therefore, it is suggested not to travel to Kedarnath or Badrinath during this season. Kedarnath helicopter also will not fly during August. You can travel during September and October to Char Dham.

If you are still planning on visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath during August, it is important to take the services of an experienced tour operator like us. Our drivers are very safe and we make sure you have a wonderful trip even during August.

Take a look at our Char Dham Yatra Package now.

Kedarnath and Badrinath in August

How is the weather in Kedarnath and Badrinath during each season?

Find out the best time to visit Kedarnath

Summer Season: This is the best season to visit Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham. Summer in Kedarnath stays from April to June. The view is beautiful and there is freshness everywhere. Although, even during the summers, it can get freezing during the evening. You must carry proper warm clothes to protect yourself.
Monsoon Season: July and August are the Monsoon months in Kedarnath and Badrinath. This place witnesses heavy rainfall during these months. There are chances of landslides and floods. It is advised not to travel during these months.
Pre-Winter Season: September and October cover Pre-Winters. This time is also very ideal to visit the Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham. Just after the rains, the weather becomes stunning. The places are full of greenery. The beauty of the whole region increases during this time.
Winter Season: Winters at this place starts around the end of November and continues till March. During this time, the place witnesses heavy snowfall. Due to freezing weather, the shrines are kept closed for the pilgrims. It again opens in April.

Frequently asked questions about Char Dham Yatra

Rudranath Temple

August 29, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Panch Kedar, Shiva Temples

Rudranath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva, present in the Grahwal region of Uttarakhand. It comes third, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. It is followed by Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar temples. Moreover, the face of god Shiva is worshipped as “Nilkanth Mahadeva” here.

Many people consider Rudranath as the most difficult temple to reach, among the Panch Kedar temples, which are the five holy temples of Shaivite dedicated to Lord Shiva. Moreover, the Garhwal region is also called the Kedar-Khanda because ‘Kedar’ is a local name for Lord Shiva. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra Destinations within Uttarakhand.

What is the history of Rudranath Temple?

According to the history, Pandavas established the Rudranath temple. Pandavas slew their kin Kauravas during the Mahabharata. Hence, Rishi Vyas advised them to go to Lord Shiva, because only he could absolve them of their sins. However, Shiva kept hiding from them and took the form of a bull.

Then, he went into hiding in an underground safe haven at Guptakashi. Later, Lord Shiva’s body parts as a bull rematerialised at five locations. The Pandavas then built Shiva temples in these five places, popular as ‘Panch Kedar’ (Find out more about the Char Dham Yatra). Rudranath Temple is the place where the face of Lord Shiva appeared. At Nandikund, devotees worship old historic swords protruding from the rocks, believing them to be of Pandavas.

What is the significance of Rudranath Temple?

The significance of Rudranath temple is that pools like Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Manas Kund surround it. There are also peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti present near the temple. Moreover, it is the toughest trek to reach compared to other Panch Kedar temples.

Before visiting the temple, devotees take a holy bath in the Narad Kund. As per beilefs, the deity appeared by itself, and hence is a ‘swayambhu’. It is a Shivalinga whose shape is like a human face. Also, the holy river Vaitarani or Baitarani or Rudraganga flows near the temple. Devotees believe that this river leads to salvation and hence, they come here to perform the last rites of the deceased.

What are the timings of Rudranath Temple?

Here are the timings of Rudranath Temple:

Timings	From
Open	6 AM
Close	7 PM
Morning Aarti	6 AM
Evening Aarti	6:30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at RudranathTemple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Rudranath Temple are:

Mahashivratri: This festival is in the honour of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga as well as meditating.
Doli Yatra: In the winters, devotees bring a symbolic image of Lord Shiva to Gopeshwar for worship in a Doli Yatra which goes through Sagar village. When the yatris reach Pitradhar, they worship their ancestors and at the end of the journey, they reach Rudranath along with the image.
Annual fair: The temple conducts a fair on the full moon day of Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar. It is mostly on the day of Raksha Bandhan and mainly the locals attend the fair.

How to reach Rudranath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Rudranath Temple:

Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun 258 km away.
Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh 241 km away.
Road: Automobiles can be used till village Sagar. After that, one has to complete a 20 km trek in order to reach the temple.

Where to stay near Rudranath Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Rudranath Temple while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

The Tattva Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, 24-hour room service and Laundry facilities. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include A 24-hour front desk.
Monal Resort: This hotel features a restaurant, a 24-hour business centre and Concierge services are available at this resort. Free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Other amenities include Dry cleaning, A 24-hour front desk and a garden.
Hotel Mandakini: This hotel features a restaurant, a rooftop terrace and 24-hour room service are available at this hotel. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a meeting room and A 24-hour front desk are on-site.

What are the other Panch Kedar temples?

The other Panch Kedar Temples are:

Kedarnath Temple: It is the first, and the most famous temple among the Panch Kedar templs of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple is the place where the hump of the bull form of Lord Shiva appeared. The temple remains closed during winters and at that time, devotees bring the idols of the temple to Ukhimath for worship. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, which is the historical name of the region.
Tungnath Temple: It comes second, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. Also, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Moreover, Tunganath mountains form Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Tungnath is the place where the bahu (hands) appeared.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple: It comes fourth, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples followed by Kalpeshwar Temple. Peaks like Chaukhamba, Neel Kanth and Kedarnath surround the temple.Madhyamaheshwar Temple is the place where the navel of Lord Shiva appeared.
Kalpeshwar Temple:It comes last, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. One must visit Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar temples before Kalpeshwar temple. It is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. Also, it is a small temple and devotees have to pass through a cave passage in order to reach it. Kalpeshwar Temple is the place where the Jata (Tress) of Lord Shiva appeared.

These temples are also a part of the Char Dham Yatra Destinations within Uttarakhand.

Narsingh Temple Joshimath

September 25, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Vishnu Temples

Narsingh Temple Joshimath is a dedication to Lord Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Moreover, the temple sits in Joshimath, which is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

Nevertheless, this shrine is also one of the 108 ‘Divya Deshams‘ of Vishnu. Since the temple is a part of ‘Sapt Badri’, it is also popular as Narsingh or Narsimha Badri among its devotees. Moreover, Adi Shankaracharya set up this temple as a dedication to Lord Vishnu’s Narsimha avatar.

Introduction of Narsingh temple — Adi Shankracharya established the Shaligram idol of Vishnu’s Narsimha avatar here.

Reportedly, devotees observe shrinking in the right wrist of Narsingh idol which continues to occur. Moreover, an existing prophecy hints towards the occurrence of a destructive landslide after the wrist of the idol falls off.

Hereafter, the route to Badrinath will close forever. Nevertheless, this temple makes its place in the Char Dham Yatra packages within Uttarakhand.

According to the prophecy, after route for Badrinath temple is closed, Bhavishya Badri will be the place of worship for the devotees of Lord Badrinath.

Narsingh or Narsimha Temple – Facts

Diety	Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha or Narsingh Avatar
Temple timings	6 am – 7:30 pm
Time required for Darshan	30 minutes
Best time to visit the temple	March – June
Entry fee	No fee
Nearest Airport	Jolly Grant Airport
Location	Joshimath, Uttarakhand

What are the timings of Narsimha Badri, Joshimath?

Devotees can visit the temple during the following timings:

Timings	From
Open	6 am
Close	7:30 pm

What is the significance of Narsingh Temple Joshimath?

Narsingh Temple Joshimath holds major significance as the fourth incarnation of Vishnu that depicts him being half-human and half-lion. Diety’s idol in the temple is 25 cm high and sits on a lotus. On the left-hand side of Lord Narsingh, there is an idol of Goddess Chandika.

While, on Lord Narsingh’s right-hand side are Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lord Hanuman and Garuda. However, the temple has also installed idols of Badrinath, Kuber and Uddhav. Devotees believe that Badrivishal rests in the temple during winters. Hence, the priests move the idol of Badrinath temple to Narsingh Temple during winters and place it alongside the Narsingh idol.

The idol of Lord Vishnu in Narsingh Avatar located inside the temple is made of Shaligram.

What is the history of the Temple?

Narsingh Temple Joshimath has a history of around 1200 years and was home to a sage called Badri Nath. Also, the idol that sits inside was constructed during the reign of Lalitaditya Yukka in the 8th century.

History of Narsingh temple — Lord Vishnu appeared in Narsimha avatar to kill the arrogant demon Hiranyakashyap.

An ages-old tale states that Lord Narsingh saved his devotee Prahlad from the tyranny of his father. Eventually, Lord Narsingh took the life of the demon Hiranyakashyap.

What are the festivals celebrated at Narsingh Temple Joshimath?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Narsimha Badri in Joshimath are:

Holi: It is a Hindu festival which relates with the story of Lord Narsingh saving his devotee Prahlad from his aunt Holika. Hence, when Holika sat in the fire with Prahlad on his father’s order, she was burnt off while Prahlad came out alive. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and is played with colours.
Narsingh Jayanti: It calls for a celebration on the day when Lord Vishnu appeared in his half-human and half-lion form, popular as ‘Lord Narsingh’. This festival falls on the Shukla Chaturdashi in the month of Vaisakh.

Festivals celebrated at Narsingh Temple — This festival of colours called Holi is celebrated to signify Lord Vishnu’s win over Hiranyakashyap.

How to reach Narsingh Temple Joshimath?

Here’s how to reach Narsingh Temple Joshimath:

Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is the nearest airport available to reach Joshimath. It is at a distance of 268.4 km from Joshimath.
Train: There are two railway stations near to the temple namely, Dehradun ( 294Km) and Rishikesh ( 256Km).
Road: There are buses available for Rishikesh/Badrinath from ISBT Kashmere Gate. The temple is at walking distance from the Joshimath bus stop.

Where to stay near Narsingh Temple Joshimath?

Some of the places where one can stay near Narsingh Temple Joshimath while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Super 8 Temple: This hotel offers a comfortable and hygienic stay. Both exteriors and interiors are a sight to watch and enjoy. Moreover, everything is available in a budget.
Country Inn & Suits: This place is an amazing blend of scenic beauty and high-tech luxuries. Moreover, everything can be availed in a budget. Also, the place is a divinity for travellers.
Temple Travelodge: This hotel offers an entire bunch of modern amenities. Moreover, it slips easily into one’s budget. Also, it is located quite close to the temple.

What are some places to visit near Narsingh Temple Joshimath?

Some of the places to visit near Narsingh Temple Joshimath are:

Rudraprayag: It is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini in Uttarakhand. Moreover, it is fourth in the Panch Prayag. It’s home to numerous Shiva temples. Also, It is a part of part of the holy Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand. This confluence is 115 km away from Narsimha Badri.
Vasudeva Temple: It holds its place in the list of famous Vishnu temples in India. Nonetheless, the temple resides 30 yards away from the Narsimha Badri. The main deity of the temple is Vasudeva whose idol is carved out of black stone and is 6 feet high.