Saturday 26 September 2015

Vridha Badri and Narsingh temples

Badrinath temple is one of the Char Dhams of India. There are other associated temples in different parts of Uttarakhand. The most important part of the region is Badri-Khestra, where there are numerous associated temples.

Vridha temple

Vridha temple is one of the Sapt Badri temples in the Badri-Kshetra. This temple is located in the Animath village (alt. 1380 mtr. ) seven km from the main Joshimath town along the Rishikesh – Joshimath – Badrinath highway. Lord Vishnu appeared here in the form of an old man before Narad who was performing penance here. That is the reason why the idol is in the form of an old man.
It is believed that the idol was carved by Vishwakarma and he worshipped here. At the beginning of the Kaliyug, Vishnu chose to go to other place. According to the legend, Adi Sankar worshipped Badrinath before his enshrinement at the Badrinath temple. This temple is open throughout the year and the chief priests are Brahmins from South India.

Narsingh temple

The other important temple which has the association with Badrinath is Narsingh temple. The Narsingh temple is located in Joshimath. The statue of Narsingh Bhagwan shows excellent workmanship. The statue has been carved out of a Shaligram. It is believed that one arm of the statue is getting thinner year by year and one day this arm will break which will signify the end of Kalyug. The two mountains Jaya and Vijaya will collapse down closing the route to Badrinath. This event will bring a new order in the world and lord Vishnu shall appear at a new place called Bhawishya Badri.
As per Rajatrangini, King Lalitaditya Yukta Pida established this temple of Narsingh temple during his digvijay yatra in the 8th century AD. The age of temple and the desire of King to conquer the Himalayas indicate the possibility of the theory of origin of Narsingh temple.


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