Origin
How Vishnu Became Badrinarayan is a question that relates to the legend behind the Badrinath Temple.
One of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage locations, the Badrinath Temple is associated with the narrative of How Vishnu Became Badrinarayan. The story goes that when Sage Narada observed Vishnu’s spouse Lakshmi stroking his feet, he reprimanded Vishnu. Narada believed that Vishnu needed to do penance because he indulged too much in worldly pleasures. After accepting, Vishnu left Lakshmi behind and proceeded to Badrinath to meditate.
However, Lakshmi could not stand being apart from her devoted husband and accompanied him to Badrinath. He was exposed to the elements and seated in lotus position under the shade of a jujube tree when she discovered him. She transformed into a jujube tree to protect him from the heat and the cold. Her dedication pleased Vishnu, who gave her the name Badri, which means jujube. He adopted the name Badrinarayan as well, which means “lord of the jujube tree”
As a result, Vishnu took the form of Badrinarayan and is worshiped there. Along with other divine beings, the temple also houses an image of Lakshmi as Badri Devi. One of Vishnu’s eight self-manifested temples, the temple is thought to be where he revealed himself to his worshippers.
History and Architecture of Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple’s origins and design are buried in lore and mystery. Although the presiding deity, Lord Badrinath, is mentioned in ancient texts like the Vedas, Puranas, and the Mahabharata, it is unclear when and by whom the temple was established. The temple’s likeness to a Tibetan-style monastery has led some academics to hypothesize that it was formerly a Buddhist monastery.
The temple was allegedly restored as a Hindu pilgrimage place in the eighth century CE by eminent philosopher and reformer Adi Shankara. He is credited with rescuing the Lord Badrinath idol from Narad Kund, a hot spring next to the temple that was buried under a sizable avalanche. The idol was subsequently placed in the temple, and the head priest, or Rawal, was chosen: a Nambudiri Brahmin from Kerala. The Rawal is a member of one of the four families that Adi Shankara picked, hence this practice has persisted to this day.
The Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), where the idol of Lord Badrinath is housed, the Darshan Mandap (prayer hall), where devotees can offer their prayers, and the Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), where religious talks are performed, are the three primary architectural components of the temple. In addition, the temple contains a number of auxiliary shrines for various gods, including Lakshmi, Narasimha, Garuda, Kubera, and Uddhava.
The temple’s conical roof is coated in gold gilded and it is made of stone. The temple’s gated entryway boasts a beautiful arch with elaborate embellishments. Paintings of scenes from Hindu mythology decorate the walls of the temple. The one-meter-tall black stone statue of Lord Badrinath is fashioned into an idol. He is seen with four arms holding a conch, a discus, a mace, and a lotus in a meditative position. He is dressed in yellow silk and has a feathered and jeweled crown on.