Details about the Trip to Badrinath !! Part I !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Recently I had a conversation with my Guru - a best friend in need, my mentor, role model...etc.  She said ' Di, nan vanthu Badri pokarathaka irukken intha April end la'. 

I said ' It is really a great news.  You go ahead with your plans and will follow you soon.'  Later, we were discussing about the family matters etc.  On the same day, I had a golden opportunity to read about Badri and its surrounding places to visit.  I thought I should  have given all these informations to her, so that she can make best use of her visit.  Later, came into my mind that if I post the same in my blog the readers who are planning a  journey to these holy place would be benefitted with the informations. 

Chennai to Haridwar (Uttaranchal), one can reach iether by Train or by Air.  Dheradun Express from Chennai Central takes 41 hours and 30 minutes  (2436 Km) to reach Haridwar Jn.  If you choose by Air from Chennai to Dheradun, it takes nearly 4 hours to reach.  Badrinath is 352Km from Haridwar.

The story of ' Bhagiratha Prayatna' has been mentioned in legends of Uttarkhand, in the Great Epic Mahabaratha - Vana Parva, Srimad Ramayana - Bala Khand, Brahmanda Puranam, Padma Puranam and Bhagavatha Puranam.  This land is also known as 'Deva Bhoomi' '  Punya Bhoomi' which is mentioned in Bhagavatha Puranam, Agni Puranam, Skanda Puranam, Brahmanda Puranam, Padma Puranam, Vishnu Puranam, Devi Puranam, Srimad Ramayanam and Mahabharatham.

The places specifically mentioned in the Puranas in Uttarkhand are Deva Prayag,(River Alakananda joins with river Bhagirathi), Rudra Prayag, Karna Prayag, Nanda Prayag, Vishnu Prayag, Pandukeshwar (birth place of Pandavas)Gangotri, Gaumukh Theertham (real source of river Ganges),  Rhishikesh, Haridwar (Ganga touches the plains).  There are Pancha Badri (1) Vishal Badri - Badri Narayana Temple (2) Yogadhyan Badri - 20 Km from Joshi Math (3)Bhavishnya Badri - 17 km from Joshi Math (4)Vridhha Badri - located in Animath which is 5 km from Joshi Math, where Sri Adi Sankara worshipped Lord Badrinarayana here. (5) Adi Badri - located 16Km from Karna Prayag. Mana Narayana Temple, Vyasa Cave - a place where Maharishi Vyasa lived and composed the great epic Mahabharatha which is located near the banks of river Alakananda.

Will be continued................

Jai Sriman Narayana !!