Description of the attraction
The Badrinath temple complex, which is sometimes also called Badrinarayan, is located in the high-mountainous city of Badrinath, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is rightfully considered one of the holiest Hindu places built in honor of Lord Vishnu, and is mentioned in ancient Vedic religious texts.
In the Badrinath temple there are several "murti" statues-idols, each of which is considered to be a kind of incarnation of a deity. The most significant of them is the meter-high statue of Vishnu, depicted as Badrinarayana. It is made of the so-called saligram stone (shila or strength), which is mined from the bottom of the sacred Kali-Gandaki river, which has a black color. The statue depicts Vishnu seated in a meditation posture. It is believed that this statue is not man-made, but appeared by itself, at the request of Vishnu.
The temple has a height of about 15 meters, and its top is crowned with a small dome covered with gilding, and the front of the building is carved out of stone. A long and wide staircase leads to the entrance, made in the form of a large arch. The windows are also made in the form of high arches. In general, the facade of the building is more reminiscent of a Buddhist vihara, that is, a temple - with a huge number of small, brightly colored details. Also, the walls and columns of the mandapa are decorated with exquisite carvings and are covered with bright paint. Mandapa is a kind of porch, a small hall-pavilion where all kinds of rituals are performed, and which is located outside the main building.
Due to the harsh weather conditions in the part of the Himalayas where the temple is located, it is open to the public only six months a year, from late April to early November.
