The
temple of shri badrinathji on the bank of the alaknanda river , dates back to
the alaknanda river , dates back to the vedic times , situated at an altitude
of 3,133 mts . , the present temple is believed to have been built by adi guru
shankaracharya - an 8th century 's philosopher -saint , who also established
a math here . also known as vishal badri , badrinath is one of the panch badris.
Cradled in the twin montain ranges of nar and narayan is the holiest of the
four main shrines , badrinath along the lift bank of the river alaknanda . With
the backdrop, it is an important destination on the sacred itinerary of every
devout hindu . Once the spot was carpeted with 'badris ' or wild berries and
hence was famous as 'badri van'.
The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends from mythology . its sanctity
is emphasised in the ancient scriptures as "there are many sacred spots
of pilgrimage in the heavens , earth and the nether world ,but there has been
none equal to badri , nor shall there be " Legend has it when the ganga
was requested to descend to earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth
was unable to withstand the force of its descent . therefore the mighty ganga
was split into twelve holy channesl . alanknanda was one of lord vishnu or badrinath.
The temple remains closed duriing the winter season and is open from april -
may to octobr - november.