The Adi Badri – An Ultimate Paradise for Devotees & Adventure Seekers

Adi Badri temple is the first temple among the Spata Badri Hindu temples in Uttarakhand which is a compound of Lord Vishnu’s sixteen temples. It is also part of the Char Dham Circuit within Uttarakhand. It is located in the Badrikshetra and since in earlier times, the temple was accessible by a path through the forest where berries grew in abundance called Badri Van, the temples in this region including all the seven shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu came to be named with the suffix Badri. It is an enthralling place for adventure lover pilgrims who wish to trek in the mountains when they travel to Adi badri. The region of Adi Badri encompasses of some exquisite holy temples with the scenic beauty of mountains & rivers. People flock here in all months of the year enjoying the thrill of the trek to reach the temple. There is a Saraswati Udgam site nearby where the river Saraswati originated. A small stream or Kund represents the mighty river that began at Adi Badri to feed the vast planes across India. It is mentioned in The Rig Veda, a fact corroborated by NASA and ISRO. A steep 200 feet wall in the Adi Badri sanctuary attracts adventure lovers and mountaineering enthusiasts.

The temple of Adi Badri was built during the Gupta period i.e. from the 5th century to the 8th century. In fact, all the 16 Temples were also built under the Gupta period. It is only 3km from the Chandpur Garhi or fort built by the Parmar Kings who ruled Garhwal. Adi Shankaracharya built numerous temples in Uttarakhand and the construction of Adi Badri Temple on the northern bank of river Somb is also credited to Adi Shankaracharya. He endorsed these Temples for completing his goal of spreading the Hinduism to the remote areas of the nation. Moreover, Maharshi Veda Vyas composed the great holy Sanskrit scripture called “Srimad Bhagwad” at Adi Badri itself. Interestingly, the main Adi Badri temple holds a dark black stone picture of Lord Vishnu holding a mace, lotus and chakra. The 1 meter tall idol stands on a pyramid shaped fenced platform. Lord Vishnu lived at this place during all the Yugas except Kalyug i.e. in Sat Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dwapar Yuga. However, in Kal Yuga He shifted himself to Badrinath. When the current Badrinath will close down as predicted and Badrinath will shift to Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri will be called Yog Badri. Talking about the sixteen temples built in the Adi Badri, all of these temples have pyramidal shape and are constructed in the height between 2 to 6 meters. The other temples are dedicated to Mahadev, Mata Mantra Devi and Buddha. The chief priests of these temples are the south Indian Brahmins. Moreover, a big fair is organized at the Adi Badri temple in the month of Vaishakh on Akshaya Tritiya. In this fair, thousands of pilgrims take part to deliver their immense respect for Lord Vishnu. Makar Sankranti and Krishna Janamashtmi are also some of the popular festivals celebrated here.

So, Adi Badri is an all-rounder destination as it offers all the good things consolidated at a single place that is renowned for its beautiful environment, rich wildlife and a picture perfect setting.