Badrinath: History and Traditions : बद्रीनाथ: इतिहास और परंपराएं

-Dr. Nagendra Rawat

Department of History and Archaeology,

HNB Garhwal University, Shrinagar Garhwal

Badrinath is one of the holiest places in Hinduism which is located at the right bank of river Alaknanda in the high Himalayan mountains. The main shrine at Badrinath is dedicated to the lord Vishnu. This place was earlier known as Badrikashram, Mukriprada, Vishalapuri, and Nar-narayanashram. It is believed that during 7^th century AD AdiSankaracharya visited Himalaya for the revival of Hinduism and established four major Maths in the four corners of the country namely Sri SringeriSharadaPeetam in Chikmagalur in Karnataka, KalikaMatha in Dwarka in Gujarat, GovardhanaMatha in Puri in Odisha and JyotirMatha in Garhwal. Jyotimath is presently known as Joshimath which is the winter seat of lord Vishnu of Badrinath. Apart from establishing the four major Math Sankaracharya’sfollower also established or revived many other maths in the Garhwal region such as Shankarmath at Srinagar, Ukhimath, Makkumath, etc., which are still worshipped. The idea behind establishing the Math tradition was to strengthen the belief in Hinduism and educate people about Hindu philosophy, practices and benefits not only for existing life but also for life after death. In this tradition there is also a concept of PanchBadri (five Badri) among them the Lord Badrinath is known as Vishal Badri and others are named as- VriddhBadri, YogBadri, DhyaanBadri, and BhavishyaBadri. Traditionally, it is believed that, when the wrist of the statue of lord Nrisinghalocated at Vasudev temple inJoshimath would break down, the path to Vishal Badri will also be closed and people will have no access to visit the Vishal Badri and the BhavishyaBadriwill be there for worshiping the god. The existing temple is in Nagara style of the temple which has Mandap, Antarala, and Garbhgriha in its ground plan (Talchhand) and pithika, Jangha, Shikhara, Skandha, Greeva, and Amlaka in elevation (Urdhwachhand).

Badrinath has prescribed traditional rules regarding the appointment of chief priests from the ‘Nambudri’ Brahmin family of South India. The opening date of Badrinath temple is also traditionally announced by the royal court of Tehri, the king, in his palace at Narendra Nagar, TehriGarhwal, on the day of Basant Panchami which is celebrated in the month of January or February. Also, the ‘Maha Abhishek’ the ‘first great Bath’ of the lord Badrinathis performed with sesame oil which is processed and prepared by the women of the royal family along with other women at the King’s palace, locally known as GaaduGhada (Tel KalashYatra). This GaaduGhada is sent to Badrinath in a procession in a special cart and reaches prior to the arrival of the Doli of Lord Badrinath at Badrinath temple. The closing date of Badrinath temple is also traditionally announced on the day of Vijayadashmi (Dusshara) every year. The closing and opening of Lord Badrinath is celebrated with special worship as it is believed that Lord Badrinath protects this region during these months when the temple remains closed for devotees. Apart from these major regular practices of Pooja, Alamkaran, Abhushanprabandhan, Bhog, and Darshanarefollowed as per the traditional practices propounded by the Adi Shankaracharya in the morning and evening. The preparation of Vanmala is another important tradition in which the chief priest prepares a new Vanmala made of Tulsi (Basil) for the decoration of the deity every day.

Besides the shrine of lord Vishnu, there are many other important temples and places in the complex of Badrinath which have different religious values and are managed by different Brahmin castelike the management of  TaptKund. Among all the Kunds, ‘NaradKund’ has the highest value as it is believed that Lord Vishnu resided in the sanctum sanctorum which was first found in this Kundand kept in the main temple by Adi Shankaracharya after purification. Similarly, there is a Brahma Kapala tirth near the main shrine which is significant for the PitrSradhh which is conducted by Hathwal, Kothiyal and Satti families. Attendees of lord Badrinath belong to Duriyal caste the local inhabitants of Badrinath. They are actively involved in all kinds of rituals and practices related to Badrinath. The divine council of lord Vishnu is also practiced at Badrinath which is known as Panchayatan system in which Garuda, Lord Kubera, lord Uddhawa, Nar-Narayan and brahmrishiNarad are treated as members. The temple of Lord Badrinath also follows the tradition of seasonal shifting from higher Himalayan region to lower valleys during winter sand resides at Joshimath which was established by Adi Sankaracharya as mentioned earlier.  In the list of traditions related to Badrinath one of the important socio-political relation is visible which is related to the Tehri state kingdom as the king of Tehri’s princely state was called as Bolanda Badrinath (Talking Badrinath). The people of Tehri state still consider their king as the direct representative of lord Badrinath who always helped the King to manage his policies, rules and regulation within his kingdom and also work for the welfare of the people. The Gaadu Ghada tradition of the royal court which is followed even after so many centuries stands in testimony to the faith and belief system of the people in the customs, traditions and culture of this area and temple. The Bheem Pul associated with Pandav’s journey to heaven called Swargarohan is also worshipped by people. It is said that this was prepared by Bheem for his wife Draupadi to cross the fast-flowing stream.  The priesthood and local market is the main source of livelihood of the local people and communities. The Bhotiya tribe, a transhumant community, who resides in Mana, the last village located on the border with Tibet is three km from Badrinath. These people of the Bhotiya tribe not only prepare various woolen items for pilgrims and tourists for earning a livelihood but also act as eyes and ears for the security of this area. These communities also shift to lower areas during the winter season and move to Badrinath during the summer season. Their shifting is not ritualistic like the shifting of Lord Badrinath Ji but purely seasonal.