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Yogadhyan
Badri (1920 m.)
Closest to the main temple of Badrinath lies this tiny, sleepy hamlet which
remains unnoticed by most pilgrims and is the winter home for the idol at
Badrinath. Pandukeshwar is also an important archaeological site. Some years
ago, four ancient metal foils engraved with a description of several kings
in the region were discovered here. Believed to be over 1500 years old,
these foils are kept at Joshimath, 30 km downstream. According to local
myth, Pandavas, the heroes in the epic Mahabharata, handed over their kingdom
Hastinapur to a king named Parikshit and retired here. Pandu, the father
of the Pandavas is believed to have meditated here and was blessed by Vishnu
for his penance. The place 'Yogadyana' derives its name from this incident,
where yoga translates to union and dhyan means meditation.
Bhavishya
Badri (2,744 m.)
The bhavishya or future badri is situated at Subain near Tapovan, about
17 km east of Joshimath. According to Hindu belief, when evil is on the
rise in this world, the two mountains Nara and Narayan at Badrinath will
close up on each other and destroy the route to the present Badrinath. This
would also mark the end of the present world and the beginning of a new
one. Lord Badrinath will then appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be
worshipped here instead of at the present one.