Badrinath Dham: The Char Dham Yatra has started from Uttarakhand. If we talk about Badrinath Dham here, then this holy place is known as the Tapabhoomi of Nar and Narayan, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Nara and Narayana are considered a twin-brother incarnation of Lord Vishnu, specifically identified as the fourth of his 24 avatars. They are depicted as sages who descended to earth to establish righteousness (dharma) and are also known for their penance (tapasya) at Badrinath. Nara is often associated with the human soul, while Narayana represents the Divine Being. The Mahabharata identifies Arjuna with Nara and Krishna with Narayana, further emphasizing their connection.
It is said that any devotee who visits this Dham does not have to come in the womb of the mother again. The creature is freed from the cycle of birth and death. There is a mention in the mythological story about the name of this Dham.
According to mythological stories, Lord Vishnu traveled to Neelkanth Mountain and the banks of the Alaknanda River in search of a suitable place for his penance. He found this location to be ideal for meditation.
In the form of a child, Vishnu approached Lord Shiva and requested this place for penance, crying for his wish to be granted. The place he received, transformed from Shiva and Parvati, is now known as Badrivishal.
Heavy snowfall began while Vishnu was deep in meditation
Another popular mythological tale recounts that while Lord Vishnu was deep in meditation, a heavy snowfall began. As he became increasingly covered in snow, Mother Lakshmi transformed into a giant plum tree to shield him from the elements.
Lakshmi took the form of the Badri tree
To protect Lord Vishnu, who was absorbed in his penance, from the sun, rain, and snowfall, Mata Lakshmi took the form of the Badri tree. After many years, when Shri Vishnu completed his penance, he noticed that his beloved Lakshmi was entirely enveloped in snow.
Why Vishnu is known as Badri ke Nath
Observing her dedication, Shri Hari remarked, "O Goddess! You have performed penance as diligently as I have. Therefore, from this day forward, I will be worshipped alongside you at this place. Since you have protected me in the form of the Badri tree, I will be known as 'Badri ke Nath,' or Badrinath." Thus, Lord Vishnu earned the name Badrinath.