Tiruvadariyaashramam (Badrināth)

According to Shrīmad Bhāgavatam, Lord Vishṇu, in His incarnations as Nara and Nārāyaṇa, performed deep tapas for time immemorial for the well-being of all living entities. According to legend, when Nara and Nārāyaṇa were performing tapas in a place where Badri trees were growing. At one point, the sunlight became very intense. Thus, to protect the Lord from the sunlight, Lakshmī Devī is said to have taken the form of a Badri tree and grown in such a way as to provide shade to the Lord.

This fact is reiterated in the Mahābhārata when Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that in their previous lives, Arjuna was the manifestation of Nara, and He was the manifestation of Nārāyaṇa. The Pāṇḍavas are said to have visited this kshethram before embarking on their final journeys to Mana, from where they left their bodies to reach Paramapadam. Mana is 4 km from this kshethram. This is one of the Swayam-Vyaktha Kshethrams. It is said that there are five Badri kshethrams. Together, they are known as Pancha Badri Kshethram.

Vishal Badri (Badrināth Temple installed by Sri Ādi Shankaracharya), Yogadhyan Badri (where the Lord is in a meditative posture), Bhavishya Badri (Badri of the future), Vridha Badri (the original shrine where Vishvakarma carved the idol), Ādi Badri. It is said that the Lord appeared in Sri Ādi Shankaracharya's dream and told him that he would find His idol inside the tapta-kundam ( hot springs ) present outside, where the present-day temple is situated.

It is said that Sri Ādi Shankaracharya dipped in the spring multiple times before finding the Lord's idol. To date, the pooja is performed by nambudhri brahmins who follow the Kerala style of pooja.

Badrināth Temple: Raval Ji opening and entering the temple in the early morning.

The only time one can see the true form of the Lord is during the Tirumañjanam/abhishekham, which takes place around 5 am.