Badrinath Temple in Hyderabad: A Southern Abode of Lord Vishnu
In an effort to make the sacred pilgrimage more accessible, a replica of the Badrinath Temple has been constructed in Hyderabad, Telangana. This initiative enables South Indian devotees, who may find it difficult to travel to Uttarakhand, to experience the divine presence of Lord Vishnu without enduring a long journey.
Inspiration and Construction
The Dakshin Badrinath, or “Badrinath of the South,” is located in Banda Mailaram village, Mulugu Mandal, Siddipet district, approximately 10 kilometers from Medchal and 50 kilometers from Hyderabad. A committee of migrants from Uttarakhand who settled in Hyderabad spearheaded the construction of this temple. Construction began in 2017 and concluded in 2023, with the temple opening to devotees on June 29, 2023.
Design and Features
Built on 1,550 square yards of land, the two-story temple occupies 6,750 square feet and stands 50 feet tall, mirroring the dimensions of the original Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand. The ground floor features a hall with a seating capacity of 350 people. The first floor houses the idol of Lord Badrinath, along with idols of Lord Ganesh, Kuber, Balram, Goddess Lakshmi, Nar-Narayan, Narada, and Garuda. Separate temples within the premises are dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Goddess Lakshmi, and the Navagrahas.
Accessibility and Timings
Unlike the Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, which closes for six months each year due to harsh weather conditions, the Dakshin Badrinath temple remains open 365 days a year. The temple welcomes visitors from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with no entry fee. Visiting on weekdays is recommended to avoid overcrowding.
The Original Badrinath Temple
The original Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. Located in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, it forms a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath.
History: Adi Shankara established Badrinath as a pilgrimage site in the ninth century. Shankara discovered the image of Badrinarayan in the Alaknanda River and enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth century, the king of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple. The temple has undergone several major renovations due to age and damage by avalanche. In the seventeenth century, the kings of Garhwal expanded the temple. After significant damage in the great 1803 Himalayan earthquake, the King of Jaipur rebuilt it.
Nambudiri Tradition: Although Badrinath is in the far north of India, the head priest (or Rawalat) traditionally comes from the Nambudiri Brahmin class from Kerala. Adi Shankara, a Malayali, began that tradition. Dimripundits, belonging to Village Dimmer of Garhwal, assist the Rawal. Badrinath represents one of the few temples in North India which follows the ancient Tantra-Vidhi of Shrauta tradition more common in southern India.
Royal Patronage: The Badrinath Temple has origins because of royal patronage and has been continuously influenced by state power and authority since its origin. The hill kingdom of Garhwal was formally established around the 7th century AD by Kanakpal, who was supposed to have come from Gujarat. Kanakpal succeeded Raja Bhanu Pratap, the last Katury ruler of Garhwal, by marrying his daughter and establishing the Panwar dynasty. It was with the establishment of this dynasty that the Badrinath temple acquired royal patronage, as the rulers of the Panwar dynasty began to worship Badrinath as their Kula-devta.
Significance
The construction of the Badrinath replica in Hyderabad underscores the enduring appeal of Lord Vishnu and the Char Dham Yatra. By creating a similar sacred space in the South, the temple founders have provided a convenient option for devotees to offer prayers and seek blessings. It serves as a testament to the unifying power of faith, bridging geographical distances and cultural differences. The temple stands as a symbol of devotion, cultural preservation, and the desire to make spirituality accessible to all.
