Most travelers begin their Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar with just one aim. They are looking to seek blessings and peace. But do you know that there are a few hidden routes beyond these that you can explore? This is where you must learn about the Sapta Badri Temples.
These seven temples are spread across the Garhwal Himalayas and hold deeper energies and value. While most of the pilgrims today go for the simple Do Dham Yatra by helicopter, the charm of these temples is just unique.
So, if you are planning your next yatra, then take some time to explore these places. Explore all the details you need here in this guide and ensure you have a seamless travel plan for you. Let's proceed without any further delay.
The term "Sapta Badri" comes from Sanskrit. It refers to the beautiful seven forms of Lord Vishnu. These are worshipped in the Badri region. These shrines can be seen spread through the Garhwal Himalayas.
Each of these shrines has a unique value and meaning. They all represent the distinct aspects of Vishnu’s divine presence. These 7 temples, unlike the popular Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar, facilitate a deeper connection with the ancient temples in the area.
When you visit these temples, you will be able to explore the stories that are unique to these places. Be it the story of the Pandavas or the one that is linked to a sage meditating for ages, each of these is unique.
But when all these temples combine, you get the most amazing combination of peace and spirituality. And if you hire the Do Dham Yatra taxi from Delhi, you will be able to explore these places at their best.
This is one of the reasons why the Sapta Badri temples are considered to be a living testimony to India’s oldest spiritual traditions.
The Sapta Badri temples together form one of the oldest Vishnu pilgrimages. Located in the Himalayas, these are not just beautiful but also some of the finest temples to explore. They are not just the shrines made of stone but serene locations located between snow and nature to bring you calmness.
So, here are the details of the Sapta Badri that you must know of:
The most famous among all. This is the temple that is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu meditated under the Badri tree. And during this, the Goddess Lakshmi protected him as its shade. It is located along the Alaknanda River.
This shrine is the heart of both the Sapta Badri temples. When you are on your Char Dham Yatra, this is the temple that you visit. It is divine and quite calming to explore. Also, this temple is known to be the ultimate shrine that you need to visit while on yatra.
It is located near Karnaprayag. It was founded by Adi Shankaracharya. The aim of this temple is to create awareness and spirituality. It is also said this is the temple where Lord Vishnu prayed earlier and so holds quite a good level of importance.
The temple complex has multiple small shrines. If you visit this, you will see that each of these is echoing the grace of ancient craftsmanship. Pilgrims often visit Adi Badri first before continuing towards the high Himalayan routes of the other Badri shrines.
This is a beautiful temple that is hidden in the village of Subain near Joshimath. Bhavishya Badri means “the future Badri.” As per the scriptures, it is believed to be the next main temple. It is said to be the next Badrinath. It is believed that after a while the main Badrinath shrine will become inaccessible due to nature’s will.
Then, this temple will be the place where people will visit and worship. When this temple has one major point, Lord Vishnu will appear in the form of Narsimha. It symbolizes strength and renewal. It’s a place where faith meets prophecy. This is one of the reasons why exploring this place is of great importance.
Vridha Badri is also known as “the Old Badri.” It's a place that lies in Animath village near Joshimath. It is said that Lord Vishnu appeared here as an old man. This was before manifesting later in Badrinath.
The temple is one with a calming and quiet atmosphere. You will find beautiful rock carvings here. This is no place less than one where you will feel the divine presence. Many travelers stop here while they are on their way to the higher shrines. They say they find this temple as a place to look for calm simplicity.
It is located in Pandukeshwar. This is between Joshimath and Badrinath. Yogdhyan Badri is where King Pandu, father of the Pandavas, meditated. It is the place where he got salvation. The deity here sits in a meditative posture. This is unique in itself.
For those who do the Do Dham Yatra by helicopter, this is a temple that should not be missed. Just take some time, and you will definitely enjoy this beautiful temple here and the serene climate as well.
It is located in Urgam Valley near Joshimath. Dhyan Badri is associated with Rishi Urvasa. He was the one who installed the idol of Lord Vishnu here after deep meditation.
This place is quite true to its name as well. This is a place where the pilgrims can spend some time in calmness and go for the quiet reflection as well. You can pause to absorb the serenity of the mountains. The temple is smaller than others. But there is no doubt that it holds a power that draws those seeking inner peace.
The least visited of them all, Ardha Badri lies in a remote corner near Joshimath. “Ardha” means half. This means that only a part of Vishnu’s image is worshipped here. The temple is simple. It is a place you can reach by foot through narrow mountain trails.
Its seclusion adds to its charm. This is one of the reasons why quite few pilgrims visit here. But those who visit find it most amazing. This is attractive, simple, and calming.
The Sapta Badri temples are all beautiful and unique. These are the temples that remind us that faith is an experience. It is more about the destination, but about finding your inner self is what you seek on your yatra. These seven shrines together reflect the depth of devotion.
In fact, these are temples that have shaped the Himalayas into a land of peace and prayer. So, even if you are planning the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar or the faster Do Dham Yatra by helicopter, do not miss Sapta Badri. This will be one of the best experiences that you can have.
So, if you are planning your next yatra, connect with BizareXpedition. Get all the information, guidance, and support you need to ensure you have the best yatra experience ever.