Darshan Kunwar
Uttarakhand’ non-descript but picturesque Adibadri holy town, widely known for its age- old elegantly built group of temples, recently shot into limelight after demand for its inclusion in four world famous shrines- Gangotri,Yamnotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath- picked up. Primarily located, 17 km away from Karanprayag( confluence of river Ganga’ tributaries like Alaknanda and Pinder) on Nainital- Karanprayag NH, in Chamoli district, has been the Seat of Lord Vishnu.
According to cross-sections of people including priests and devotees, what has raised the repeated demand to this effect, is that since Adibadri spiritual town is known for its group of ancient temples led by Lord Vishnu’ prominent seat of worship, on the right side of the road, 3 km from Chandpur Ford(erstwhile capital of Garhwal king), move will help boost religious and other forms of domestic and international tourism in the region. “As Adibadri Dham is already a major centre of pilgrimage with a sizable number of pilgrims and tourists thronging here during every Chardham yatra season, the number of devotees may further go up once it is made a part Chardham shrines”, said a senior BJP leader Mayaram Bahuguna.
What has set off a wave of jubiliations among locals and devotees is that overall business activities like hotel and Homestays business ,have already risen following BJP led Pushkar Dhami Government decision to declare Nainital-Karanprayag NH as Chardham Yatra’ alternative route. “This was decided to bring down vehicle traffic pressure during yatra season on main Rishikesh- Gangotri ,Yamnotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath Yatra routes”, said CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Officials say as a huge number of pilgrims of different colours, pass through Adibadri route after completing their trips to Gangotri and Yamnotri shrines before leaving for Kedarnath and Badrinath, government has to make adequate arrangements for their lodging and food on Nainital- Karanprayag route.
A senior IAS officer Sachin Kurvey admitted that state Government’s overall earnings has nearly doubled this year from religious tourism as compared to previous years.
Legend has it that Adibadri temples were built by the Pandavas while on their way to Swargarohini path.
According to experts, architectural designs of these temples with black stones, show that they were built by Adi Shankaracharya during the 8th century.
However, according to ASI , that has been maintaining these temples for a couple of years, they were architectured by the Katuri kings between 8th and 11th centuries.
Originally there were 16 temples in the group, of which 14 survive. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is identified by its large size and built on a raised platform. A beautiful one meter high black Shaligram idol of the Lord in his Chaturbhuj (four-armed) standing form is housed inside the sanctum sanctorum. The doors of the Adi Badri temple are closed for the month of Paush and are opened on the day of Makar Sankranti.
In front of it, a small temple is dedicated to Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Other temples in the group are dedicated to other deities such as Satyanarayan, Lakshmi, Annapurna, Chakbhan, Kuber (without idol), Ram-Lakshman-Sita, Kali, Lord Shiva, Gauri, Shankar and Hanuman. There are deep and detailed carvings on these stone temples and the expression of carving on each temple is specific to that temple and is also different from others.
Chief Priest of the temple Chakredhar Thapliyal, as it has been a seat of Lord Vishnu, the Almighty lived here during Treta and Dwapara eras and later shifted to Badrinath after the beginning of Kaliyug. Thapliyal who hails from nearby Thapli village comprising priests, said he performs Puja in the temple early mornings and evenings. During chardham yatra season that came to an end on November 19 this, devotees belonging to across the country and abroad, participate in the Puja.
Darshan Kunwar ,
Senior Accredited freelance journalist & Political Commentator
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