Panch Badri

The Panch Badri circuit, like the Panch Kedar circuit, is a set of five sacred temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Uttarakhand region. Each of these temples holds religious significance, and they are spread across the Badri kshetra. Here’s a brief overview of each of the Panch Badri temples:

1. Badrinath (Vishal Badri):

• Location: Badrinath, the most famous temple among the Panch Badri, is located in the Chamoli district.
• Significance: Badrinath is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu meditated, and the temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams.

2. Yogdhyan Badri:

• Location: Yogdhyan Badri is situated at Pandukeshwar, about 24 km north of Badrinath.
• Significance: Yogdhyan Badri is associated with the meditation (yogdhyan) of King Pandu, the father of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. It is believed that King Pandu meditated here to seek Lord Vishnu’s blessings.

3. Bhavishya Badri:

• Location: Bhavishya Badri is located at Subhain village, about 17 km east of Joshimath.
• Significance: Bhavishya Badri is associated with a prophecy mentioned in Hindu scriptures. It is believed that a time will come when the present route to Badrinath becomes inaccessible, and Lord Vishnu will be worshipped at Bhavishya Badri.

4. Vridha Badri:

• Location: Vridha Badri is situated at Animath, near Joshimath.
• Significance: According to mythology, when the main Badrinath temple is closed during the winter season, the idol of Lord Vishnu is brought to Vridha Badri for worship. Vridha Badri is also known as “Old Badri.”

5. Adi Badri:

• Location: Adi Badri is a complex of 16 temples located near Karnaprayag.
• Significance: Adi Badri is the earliest known group of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the region. Each temple houses an idol of Lord Vishnu and is considered to be an ancient pilgrimage site.

The Panch Badri circuit offers devotees a comprehensive spiritual journey through these revered temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Pilgrims often undertake this circuit to seek blessings and to experience the divine aura associated with each of these sacred sites. The proximity of these temples to each other allows for a relatively accessible pilgrimage route in the picturesque landscapes of Uttarakhand.