The Temple Complex

A holy shrine at an elevation of 3,133 meters Badrinath shrine is famed as the most sacred pilgrim center of the Hindus. Placed at the serene ambiance of majestic Alakananda river in the midst of a gorgeous basin the shrine boast of a legendary history. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple of Shri Badrinathji is 15m in height and is in black colour.

Legends say that this shrine was in existence there at the time of Vedas and it has undergone so many renovations. During winter the temple would be closed due to heavy snowfall and it is believed that during this time the deity would be adorned by the heavenly inhabitants. It is generally assumed that with extend of Buddhism, the Buddhists preserved the deity of Lord Buddha there and during the Hindu renaissance, the statue of Buddha was later reinstated by Sankaracharya with the idol of Lord Vishnu. This might be the reason for the Padmasan posture of the deity, which resembles a typical Buddha deity.

The main shrine has three parts and the Garbha Griha is adorned with the deity of Lord Vishnu in a Padmasana Posture. Darshan Mandap and the Shobha Mandap are the other two major portions of the main temple. With in the temple complex there is another shrine that is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi. It is very interesting to note that Vishnu and Lakshmi are adorned here as distinct idols and that might be the reason that the main priest in Badrinath is a bachelor. Temple complex encompass fifteen idols of other gods and goddess of the Hindu pantheon.