A Brief

Badrinath Temple - Front View

Badrinath : Situated in the Nor-Narayan Parvat, with the towering neelkanth peak (6.597Mt.) in the background, Badrinath is one of the most revered Hindu Shrines of India. It has said that "there were many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heaven, earth and the other world but neither is there any equal to Badrinath nor shall be one". 

It is believe that to revive the lost prestige of Hinduism and to unite country in one bond, Adi Guru Shri Shankarachya built four Pilgrimage centers in four corners of India. Among them were Badrikasram in North, Rameshwaram in South, Dwarkapuri in the West and Jagannath puri in the east. Badrinath situated at elevation of 3,133 mts, is considered to be amongst the most pious. 

Kedarnath Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples & is one of the Twelve Jyotirlingas, dedicated to the god shiva, Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the Protector and the Destroyer. Shiva is considered the embodient of all passions-love, hatred, fear, death & mysticism Which are expressed through his various form. There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli District itself. It is on the Garhwal Himalayan range near Mandakini Rives. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open only between the end of April (Akshaya Tritiya) to Kartika Purnima (The autumn full moon, usually november). The temple was built by Pandavas and revived by Adi Sankaracharys to Legend, Pandavas after having won over Kauravasin the Kurakshetra was felt guilt of having killed their own brothers and south blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuse at Kedarnath in the form of Bull. On being followed he dived on to the ground, leaving his Hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The Arms appeared at Tunganath, the face at Rudranath, the Belly at Mathmaheshwar and his Locks(Hair) with Head at Kapaleshwar. Kedarnath and four above mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.

Kedarnath was the worst affected area during the 2013 flash floods in North India. The temple complex, surrounding areas and Kedarnath town suffered extensive damage, but the temple structure did not suffer any "major" damage, apart from few cracks on one side of the four walls which was caused by the flowing debris from the higher mountains. A large rock among the debris acted as a barrier, protecting the temple from flood. The surrounding premises and other building and other buildings in market area were heavily damaged. The temple structure has been standing erect and facing nature's fury for the past 10 countries and it is expected that the structure has the endurance to remain intact in the future as well.