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Badrinath Links |
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Considered
as the holiest of the four important shrines of Hindus,
Shri Badrinath ji is situated in the Garhwal region at the
confluence of the Rishi Ganga and Alaknanda
rivers and at an altitude of 3110 M above the sea level.A great religious importance has been attached to Badrinath Puri, which was once surrounded by wild berries or "Badri" and so it was named "Badrivan". This land has been worshipped by saints and sages and has been the abode of yogies, and great hermits over the ages.
Shri
Badrinath is guarded by the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan
range near the towering Neelkanth Peak. The other hot
water tanks are "Narad Kund" & "Surya
Kund" in which pilgrims take the holy bath. Badrinath
stands first in the pilgrimage programs since it bears the supreme degree of
faith and devotion towards God. At the backside of Badrinath temple, a valley opens to Nilkanth peak, which embodies all the divinity of this sacred land. The pujaris of Shri Badri Nath Temple are known as the Rawal, who are generally the Namboodri Brahmin of Kerala, as part of a tradition. Adiguru Shankracharya was also a Namboodri Brahmin. The Rawal is appointed jointly by the Badrinath temple committee and Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal. The Rawal is well-versed in Sanskrit and Puja ceremonials.
