The Historic temple of Lord Vishnu
The historic temple of Lord Vishnu – the Badrinath Temple
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu tricked Lord Shiva and his consort out of their own home – that site is now the land on which the Badrinath Temple sits.
Though most Indians associate Kedarnath with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, few are aware that Shiva’s original abode was at Badrinath in the Himalayas. There is an interesting legend that explains the change in Shiva’s residence from Badrinath to Kedarnath – and it has to do with mischief played by Lord Vishnu!
The story goes that one day as Shiva and Parvati reached home, they found a little baby lying down at the entrance of their home and bawling loudly. Parvati was immediately entranced by the chubby infant, but Shiva was suspicious – he pointed out that this was not a baby, since there were no footprints of any adult leading up to the child, and nobody around seemed to know where the baby had come from. But Parvati was adamant that they take the infant inside their home.
Against his better judgement, Shiva agreed to shelter the tiny tot and Parvati fed the child and left him inside the house as she and her husband went for a hot water bath at the springs. But when they returned, the door was bolted from the inside and they could hear the infant laughing! Shiva was furious and reminded Parvati that the child was no ordinary baby but probably a God intent on mischief. He had only two options: either burn down the house or move elsewhere. He chose the latter, because he did not wish to harm the child which was after all, a baby, even if it was Lord Vishnu in disguise!
And so, Lord Vishnu became the possessor of Lord Shiva’s home in Badrinath.
The scenic spot was later the site of the Badrinath Temple, which was installed by Adishankara. Adishankara was a renowned and prodigious scholar who had taken sanyaas at the tender age of 12. He is said to have walked from his home in Kaladi, Kerala to Badrinath and finally found God at the site. The Badrinath Temple, also known as the Temple of Vishnu, was thus built at the site and it stands to this day, a symbol of devotion for scores of Indians that visit it every day.
Its location and the difficult terrain leading up to it are enough to test the limits of one’s devotion, but the temple itself is worth the effort. Today, the Badrinath Temple’s origins may not be known, but it is revered for its holy aura and the magnificent beauty that surrounds it.