Badrinath
Badrinath, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
The Himalayan shrine of Vishnu. Sadhguru retells the story of how it was once Shiva and Parvati's home, and how they came to leave it for Kedar.
What the texts say
- Lineage text
Sadhguru tells the story behind Badrinath. It was Shiva and Parvati's home. Vishnu, wanting a place for his sadhana, found it, took the form of a crying child at their door, and Parvati took him in despite Shiva's warning.
Himalayan Lust, Sadhguru, "Part Three: No Take-away (Badrinath)"
- Lineage text
While the couple bathed in the hot spring, the child locked the house from inside. Rather than harm the child, Shiva chose to leave, and he and Parvati walked across to Kedar and settled there. Sadhguru tells it with humour, as a story rather than history.
“So that is how Shiva and Parvati became illegal aliens.”
Himalayan Lust, Sadhguru, "Part Three: No Take-away (Badrinath)"
What tradition holds
Kept apart from the texts on purpose. These are held with respect, and they are not the same as a written source.
- Pilgrim tradition
The temple committee says Adi Shankara found the black stone image of Badrinarayan in the Alaknanda and first enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs.
Held by: Pilgrims, as described by the Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee
What you will find today
- Getting there
- The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (295 km) and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant (314 km). The temple committee advises checking the condition of the road from Rishikesh before travelling in the monsoon.
- Timings and conduct
- Open to the public from April or May to November. Winters are very cold, with regular snowfall.
- Best season
- The temple committee lists May to November as the time to visit.
Last checked via Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/AboutUs/shri-badrinath.aspx). Conditions change; confirm before you travel.
A practice for this place
Sit near the temple for ten minutes and ask for nothing. The part of Himalayan Lust set here is titled "No Take-away", so let the practice be simply sitting, without wanting to carry anything home from it, and leave when you are done.