DAY 9
GUPTKASHI / UKHIMATH / JOSHIMATH - BADRINATH (200 Kms - 07 hrs. approx)
After early Breakfast leave for Badrinath En-route visit Narsingh Temple, and Adi Shankracharya Samadhi at Joshimath, then drive to Badrinath. On arrival check in to hotel, after Lunch visit Vyas Cave, Ganesh Cave, Bhim Bridge & origin of River Saraswati at Mana village the last village before the Tibetan border, later go to temple for holy
Darshan/ Pooja & attend evening Arti. Dinner & overnight stay at Badrinath..
BADRINATH:
Cradled in the twin Mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines - Badrinath along the left bank of river Alaknanda with the towering Neelkantha Peaks as the splendid backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries and hence was famous as Badri van. Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity; the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore, the mighty Ganga was split into 12 holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath.
NARAD KUND:
A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.
BRAHMA KAPAL:
It is a flat platform a few yards north of the temple and on the bank of river Alaknanda. It is an important place for Shraddha ceremony or offering of pinds to ensure a heavenly place for dead ancestors or manes. It is said that offering pind here, the manes are permanently enshrined in heaven and no more pinds are to be done elsewhere ever afterwards. Legends have it that when Shiva chopped of the fifth head of Brahma, it got stuck to his trident. Lastly with the blessing of Lord Vishnu at Badrivan, the head of Brahma fell down from the trident at this place & hence the name Brahma-Kapal (head).
MANA VILLAGE:
Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. The women of the village offer Choli to the deity on closing day of the temple each year.
BHIM PUL:
On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge lies over the roaring Saraswati River. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.