Badrinath is also called “Narada Kshetram” since Narada Muni attained lord here in five days
Narad Kund - Badrinath
A holy site from where Adi Sankara recovered the idol of lord Vishnu, Narad Kund is one of the most revered centers in Badrinath. It is a recess in the Alakananda river and is naturally sheltered by a rock with projecting angles. This prevents the flow of the water current and provides suitable surroundings for a nice bath. Water in Narada Kund is so hot that it would not be advisable to take long baths in the pond.
The devotees usually take holy dip in the kund before they venture for a holy darshan. The scenic beauty and the mythical tales that encircle the place make it a popular tourist as well as religious spots in Badrinath.
Saints and Acharyas
Gautama Rishi, Kapila, and Kasyapa are said to have come here
Sankaracharya visited here some 1,225 years ago; Ramanujacharya visited 955 years ago; and Madhvacharya visited twice about 735 years ago.
Panch Shilas
Narada, Narasimha, Varaha, Garuda, and Markandeya—are located by Tapta Kund. They are large rocks near the river.
Deity Description and Visit
Lord Badrinath is sitting meditating in the padmasana (lotus yogic posture). As you look at the Deities, standing to the right side of Badrinarayana is Uddhava. To the far right side are Nara and Narayana. Narada Muni is kneeling in front on the right side and is difficult to see. On the left side are Kubera, the god of wealth, and a silver Ganesh. Garuda is kneeling in front, to the left of Badri¬narayana.
Within the temple enclosure, to the left of the main temple building, is a separate shrine dedicated to Lakshmi Devi and the Gaddi (sitting place) of Adi Sankaracharya, just outside the exit door of the temple. The Lakshmi Temple is painted red in front. The temple dedicated to Sankaracharya is said to mark his sitting place while he was in Badrinath.
The temple is open six months of the year, May to October. The priests of the temple perform their worship (puja) in Joshimath, 50km south, the rest of the year. Before they close the temple in November, they perform one last puja and leave the ghee lamps in the temple lit. Six months later, in the month of May, they return to open the temple and find the ghee lamps still lit. It is said that the great sage Narada Muni along with other demigods come during the winter months to carry on the worship. The temple priests are Nambudiri Brahmins from Kerala.
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