Hindu Temples of Uttarakhand

PLACE	DESCRIPTION
Badrinath	Indraneela Parvatham
Badrinath	Sri Badrinarayanan Temple
Gaurikund	Anekathangapatham
Kedarnath	Sri Kedareswara Temple

Narasingh Devta Temple / Joshimath / ஜோசிமத், Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, India.

The visit to this Joshimath temple was a part of Chardham Yathra conducted by the Super Yathra Service, Kumbakonam. (Originally, this temple's visit was written without much detail. Hence, this part was written as a separate post in the Diva Desam List of Temples. Since there was a systematic allotment of buses to climb, we started a little earlier. On the way, we had the darshan of Sri Narasimhar, which is one of the 108 mangala sasana Vishnu sthalams at JOSHIMATH. From Joshimath, our guide had shown me the back side of Indira Neela Parvatham ( Ie, the hill opposite Sri Badrinath Temple).

This Maha Vishnu Temple at JOSHIMATH is the 67th Divya Desam of 108 Divya Desam. (The temple claims the 105th Divya Desam). Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. 

வாலிமாவலத்தொருவனதுடல்கெட வரிசிலைவளைவித்து,அன்று

ஏலநாறுதண்தடம்பொழிலிடம்பெற இருந்தநலிமய்யத்துள்,

ஆலிமாமுகிலதிர்தர அருவரை அகடுறமுகடேறி,

பீலிமாமயில்நடஞ்செயும்தடஞ்சுனைப் பிரிதிசென்றடைநெஞ்சே.

இரவுகூர்ந்திருள்பெருகியவரைமுழை இரும்பசியதுகூர,

அரவமாவிக்குமகன்பொழில்தழுவிய அருவரையிமயத்து,

பரமனாதியெம்பனிமுகில்வண்ணனென்று எண்ணிநின்றிமையோர்கள்,

பிரமனோடுசென்றடிதொழும்பெருந்தகைப் பிரிதிசென்றடைநெஞ்சே.

....... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் இரண்டாம் திருமொழி ( 958- 967 )

This image is in the Oppiliappan Temple Praharam

Moolavar  : Sri Narayana Perumal / Narasimhar / Sri Paramapurushan

Consort    : Sri Parimalavalli Nachiyar

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

During our visit to Joshimath, the new temple was not constructed. The temple was like a residential building. 

The Vigrahas are small in size. In the Sanctum Sanctorum Narasimhar, Sowmiya Narasimhamurthy, Ramar, Sita, Lakshmana, Aanji, Badri Naranarayan, Chandi Devi, Kuberan, Utsavar, Gurudan are on a platform. Thayar and Rajarajeswari are in separate sannidhis (Rooms). 

HISTORY

The Temple was believed to have been built during the 8th Century with the effort of Adi Sankara. Joshimath was the original capital of the Katyar Dynasty before it moved to Kartikeyapur, the present name of Baijnath. The present temple was built in 2016 - 17. 

 

Sri Narasimha Perumal Temple - one of the 108 Vaishnava temples at Joshimath

PC: Web site 

PC: Web site 

PC: Web site 

PC: Web site (New Temple)

View of the Himalayan Mountains from Joshimath

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Badrinath Dham / Badrinath Temple / பத்திரிநாத் கோயில், Badrinath, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, India.

The Visit to the Sri Badrinarayanan Temple was a part of Chardam Yathra conducted by the Kumbakonam Yathra Service. When we landed at Badrinath, there was a long q, waiting for (about 1.5 km) the darshan of Sri Badrinarayanan. It took us nearly 2 1/2 hours for the darshan. Originally, this part of this temple was written without much detail, so this part alone was separated and written as a separate post with more details. 

This Sri Badrinayan Temple at Badrinath is the 69th Divya Desam of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Maha Vishnu. Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. This place is also called Thiruvathariyacharamam, and the same is mentioned in the Pasuram as Vathari - வதரி. 

முற்ற மூத்து கோல் துணையா  முன் அடி நோக்கி வளைந்து

இற்ற கால் போல் தள்ளி மெள்ள  இருந்து அங்கு இளையாமுன்

பெற்ற தாய் போல் வந்த பேய்ச்சி பெரு முலை ஊடு உயிரை

வற்ற வாங்கி உண்ட வாயான்  வதரி வணங்குதுமே.

...... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்  

Moolavar  : Sri Badrinarayanan

Consort    : Sri Aravinda Valli

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

There are sannadhi for Anjenear and  Mahalakshmi. 

The Badrinath temple faces east on the banks of the river Alaknanda. The moolavar Sri Badrinarayan is in sitting posture, about 1 foot made out of saligram, under a Badri Tree (It is believed that Mahalakshmi is a Berry tree). The upper hands hold shankha and Chakra, and the lower hands are in yoga mudra. Kubera, Narada, Udhava, and Nara Narayana are also in the sanctum sanctorum. 

In the praharam, there are 15 sub-sannidhis: Lakshmi, Garuda, Nava Durga (nine forms of Durga), Lakshmi Narayan, Adi Sankara, Nara Narayan, Ghandakama, Vedanta Desika, and Ramanuja. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple construction is a combination of both South Indian and North Indian architecture, with dwarapalakas and bas-reliefs on the pillars in the inner mandapam. 

HISTORY

From the history, the temple was constructed by Adi Shankaracharya, who lived here for about 6 years from 814 to 820 CE and belonged to Kerala. Hence, the pooja is conducted by the Namboothiris from Kerala.

As per the Government website, Adi Shankara discovered a black stone image of Lord Badarinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present location of the temple.

LEGENDS

The hill on the opposite side of the Badrinath Temple is called INDRANEELA PARVATHAM and is also believed to be one of the Paadal Petra Thevara Sthalam. We could see the color difference compared to other hills during the time also (It will be in blue color during the early morning).  It was believed that Indran had worshiped this hill as Lord Shiva.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open for 6 months from April to November. Between 04.00 hrs to 21.00 Hrs.  And the best time will be May, June and July. 

 

An ice-covered mountain at the back of  Shri Badrinath temple (some claim this as Indraneela Parvatham, one of the Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)

Shri Badrinath Temple 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Kedarnath Temple / Kedareswara Temple/கேதாரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், கேதார்நாத் / Kedarnath, Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand State, India.

This is the 271^st Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 4^th Temple of Vada Nadu in Uttarakhand State on the Himalayan Hills. It is a great ambition of every Shiva Devotee to visit this temple at least once in a lifetime. Visited this temple as a part of the Chardham Yatra on the 15^th & 16^th of June 2013, ie on the previous day of the Himalayan Tsunami/flash flood the experiences are written in a separate post in the form of a Dairy, which will be interesting to the readers. The historical name of this place is “Kedar Khand”. This temple is one of the Char Dhams (The other three temples are Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri), one of the Panch Kedars (the other four are Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar), in Uttarakhand, and one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shiva Temples of India.

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that both Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar have sung hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple from Kalahasti without coming here.

அங்கண் வடதிசை மேலும் குடக்கின் மேலும் அருந்தமிழின் வழக்குஅங்கு நிகழாது ஆகத்

திங்கள்புனை முடியார்தம் தானம் தோறும் சென்று தமிழ் இசைபாடும் செய்கை போல

மங்கையுடன் வானவர்கள் போற்றிசைப்ப வீற்றிருந்தார் வடகயிலை வணங்கிப் பாடிச்

செங்கமலர் வாவித் திருக்கேதாரம் தொழுது திருப்பதிகஇசை திருத்தப்பாடி

..... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Both worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple from Kalahasti.

தொண்டர் அஞ்சு களிறும் மடக்கிச் சுரும்பார்மலர்

இண்டை கட்டி வழிபாடு செய்யும் இடம் என்பரால்

வண்டுபாட மயில்ஆல மான்கன்று துள்ளவ்வரி

கெண்டைபாயச் சுணைநீல மொட்டலரும் கேதாரமே

...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

வாழ்வாவது மாயஇது மண்ணாவது திண்ணம்

பாழ்போவது பிறவிக்கடல் பசிநோய்செய்த பறிதான்

தாழா(து)அறம் செய்ம்மின்தடங் கண்ணாள்மல ரோனும்

கீழ்மேலுற நின்றான்திருக் கேதாரம்என் னீரே

..... சுந்தரர்

                                                                  -“சிங்காது

தண்ணிறைந்து நின்றவர்தாஞ்சார் திருக்கேதாரத்திற்

பண்ணிறைந்த கீதப் பனுவலே

..... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Kedareswara. 

Consort    : Sri Kedara Gauri.

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple faces south on the banks of Mandakini River a tributary to River Ganga at an altitude of 3584 meters above sea level. The Moolavar is of irregular triangular shape ie in the form of a back side of a bull with a pedestal or Avudayar on the ground level. An unusual feature of the Moolavar is a man’s face, and image, and maybe Lord Shiva is carved on the Shiva Linga. Nandi is in front of the Temple on a pedestal.

 

In Mandapam, Utsava Murthis, Pancha Pandavas, Draupadi, Krishna, Nandi vahana and Veerabhadra.

Bhairavar, Vinayagar, Pandavas, Kannan, Adi Sankara, Anjaneyar, Eesanar, Maha Vishnu, Karthikeyan, and Ardhanareeswarar are in the praharam as Parivara deities.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, a main Maha mandapa, and a front porch. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the Porch.

The temple measures 85 feet high, 187 feet long, and 80 feet wide. It was told that the width of the wall is 12 feet.. ( ?). The temple was built with North Indian style architecture especially those found in hilly regions.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The details of the construction of this temple, like by Whom and when are not Known. As per the legend, It is believed that the temple was built by the Pancha Pandavas. It is believed that the Adi Sankara revived this temple along with Badrinath during the 8^th Century.

Due to the flash flood/Himalayan Tsunami on 16^th and 17^th June 2013, (due to heavy downpours - leads to occur of Himalayan Tsunami), most of the structures around the temple were washed away. Boulders rolled down from the mountain, damaged the surrounding places and many settled around the temple even after the flood. Gaurikund was also washed away. The flash flood leads to a loss of property, human lives, and ponies. The Adi Sankara’s samadhi just behind the temple ( where we had done the prayers on the previous day ) was also washed away.

Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and IIT, Madras studied the temple structure by making many visits to find that the foundation, and walls are in good condition. A Stability Certificate was also submitted to the concerned authorities. Minor damage found by the ASI was also rectified later. Yatra to this temple was suspended for a year. In the meantime, the alternate path was created by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, under the leadership of Veteran Mountaineer Colonel, Ajay Kothiyal. Yatra to temple was resumed from the subsequent year.

With Sri-La-Sri Kasivasi Muthukumaraswamy Thambiran’s effort, Thirugnanasambandar’s Thevaram pathigam inscription tablet was installed in this temple.      

LEGENDS

It is believed that Pandavas died around this region. The tribals used to perform the Pandav Leela in memory of Pancha Pandavas. Pandu died at Pandukeshwar. It is believed that the Pandavas went to Swarga from the top of the Mountain called “Swargarohini”, near Badrinath. While leaving this earth to swarga, Yudhisthira one of the fingers had fallen down, where he installed a Shiva Linga of Thumb size. To gain Mashisharupa Lord Shiva and Beema fought with maces. Due to this Bheema suffered with remorse. So he massaged Lord Shiva’s body with ghee. In memory of this event, even today the Moolavar is massaged with Ghee and worshiped with bilva leaves and water. 

In another legend,  Pancha Pandavas came to this temple to get relieved from the sin caused by to killing of their relatives in the Kurukshetra war. Lord Shiva didn’t give darshan to them immediately. He changed his form to a bull. Bheema started a fight with the bull and half of the body was dropped in this place and formed a Shiva linga. Hence the moolavar is of a triangle or Pyramid shape.

It is believed that the Shiva’s one of the forms of Ardhanareeswarar happened from this temple. Once at Kailash Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati were alone, Bhrigu Muni went and worshiped only Lord Shiva. He went through the gap between Lord Shiva and Parvati. Angered Ma Parvati made him lose his strength. Lord Shiva gave him another leg to stand. When Ma Parvati thought all her efforts went in vain, started a viratha on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva pacified Ma Parvati by giving half of his body to Ma Parvati. The viratha is called “Gowri Viratham”, and is still followed by the ladies.

It is believed the Lord Shiva is worshiped 6 months by Devas and 6 months by human beings.   It is believed that Arjuna received Pasupata Astra from Lord Shiva from this place, Ravana tried to lift Mount Kailash, but his effort did not succeed due to Lord Shiva pressing his leg big toe. This incident is believed to be happened at this place.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS and TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open for darshan from Akshaya Tritiya to Deepavali ie May to November. The timings will be 06.00 hrs to 15.00 hrs.

Regular Poojas are conducted during Summer and during the winter season ie after Deepavali, Utsava murtis will be brought to  Ukhimath and Poojas will be conducted. During Winter Kedarnath temple will be closed and poojas will not be conducted at the temple. So, the best season to Visit the temple will be from May to November ( May, June, July, August, September, October, and November ).  It was told that the priests were from the Veerashaiva community of Karnataka. Usually, the poojas are not conducted by the head priest but by his assistants.   

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple’s website: https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/

The e-mail Address: support-ucdb@uk.gov.in

Office-related Enquiry - 0135-2741600

General Enquiry & Online Prasad Services - +91-7302257116

Pilgrims Help Line for Shri Kedarnath Temple - +91-8534001008

Pilgrims Help Line for Shri Badrinath Temple - +91-8979001008

Online Services/International Pilgrims Help Line +91-7060728843

Media Related Quarry - +91-7302257115

Publicity Office Rishikesh - 0135-2430261

Shri Narsingh Temple Joshimath - +91-1389-222083

HOW TO REACH

The temple can be accessed up to Gaurikund by road. From Gaurikund Devotees can reach the temple either by trekking or on Poni. There is a Helipad constructed near the temple, so can be reached through the Helicopter also.

The nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh ( 224 km )

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

AFTER HIMALAYAN TSUNAMI 

(All the Photos after the Himalayan Tsunami are taken from the Website) 

An 18th-Century Photograph

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Anekathangapatham / அநேகதங்காபதம், Gaurikund, Kedarnath, Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand State, India.

This is the 270^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 3^rd Sthalam of Vada Nadu on the Himalayan Hills. This temple was not Visited by any of the 63 Nayanmars.

In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar Records Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns on this temple from Kalahasti. Sekkizhar didn’t mention this temple in particular but as other temples on the way.  

கூற்று உதைத்தார் மகிழ்ந்த கோகரணம் பாடிக்

        குலவு திருப்பருப்பதத்தின் கொள்கைபாடி

ஏற்றின்மிசை வருவார் இந்திரன் தன் நீல

        பருப்பதமும் பாடிமற்று இறைவர் தானம்

போற்றிய சொல் மலர்மாலை பிறவும் பாடிப்

        புகலியார் பெருந்தகையார் புனிதம் ஆகும்

நீற்றில் அணிகோலத்துத் தொண்டர்சூழ

        நெடிது மகிழ்ந்து அப்பதியில் நிலவுகின்றார்

...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar and Ramalinga Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

தந்தத்திந்தத் தடமென்றருவித் திரள்பாய்ந்து போய்ச்

சிந்தவெந்த கதிரோனொடு மாசறு திங்களா(ர்)

அந்தமில்ல அளவில்ல அனே கதங்காபத(ம்)

எந்தை வெந்த பொடி நீறணிவார்க்கு இடமாவதே

...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                    -“நீடுபவம்

தங்காதவனேக தங்கா பதஞ்சேர்ந்த

நங்காதலான நயப்புணர்வே”

...... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Arulmanneswarar

Consort    : Sri Manonmani

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

This temple is at Gaurikund at the base of Kedarnath Temple. The Gaurikund on the base is called the Anekathangapatham. The temple is near the Hot water spring and an arrangement was made such that hot water falls through the mouth of a bull’s head.

It is believed that Ambal did a penance on Lord Shiva at this place. Suriyan and Chandran have also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

HOW TO REACH

Vehicles proceeding to Kedarnath have to stop at Gaurikund, as a last stop. One has to trek to Kedarnath.

Gauri Kund is 110 Meters (14 km), 44 km from Ukhimath, 103 km from Srinagar, 164 km to Chamoli, 184 km from Joshimath, and 247 km from Dehradun.  

The nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh (207 km)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- Om Shivaya Nama ---