Pandukeshwar Temple Badrianath Uttarakhand

 Land of Pandu’s Meditation

Pandukeshwar is named after King Pandu, who came here to meditate and cleanse himself of the sin of accidentally killing a sage. According to legend, after Pandu gave his throne to his elder brother Dhritarashtra, he lived in Pandukeshwar with his wives, Kunti and Madri. One day, while hunting, Pandu unintentionally killed a sage who had taken the form of a deer. As the sage was dying, he cursed Pandu, saying that he would die instantly if he ever tried to be with his wives.

To atone for this sin, Pandu installed a bronze image of Vishnu in the Yogadhyan Badri shrine and meditated there. During this time, Kunti and Madri gave birth to the Pandavas through divine intervention. Once, Pandu became attracted to Madri while she was bathing in the Alaknanda River, leading to his death due to the sage’s curse.

Pandavas in Exile

During their 12 years of exile, the Pandavas visited Pandukeshwar to perform their father Pandu’s funeral rites. Arjun meditated here during the exile and received blessings from Indra. The Pandavas also built the Lord Vasudev Temple, which houses idols of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and Madri.

Home to two significant temples:

1. Yogadhyan Badri Temple: Part of the Sapta Badri group of temples, this shrine is believed to house a bronze image of Vishnu installed by Pandu. The deity in this temple is in a meditative posture, which is why it is called Yoga Dhyan Badri. The life-size idol is carved from Shaligram stone.
2. Temple of Lord Vasudev: Another important shrine in Pandukeshwar.

Pandukeshwar to Badrinath Distiance

Pandukeshwar  to Badirnath distance by road is about 21 km which takes 1 hour road drive to reach Badrinath Temple Uttarakhand India. pandukeshwar to badrinath

Suggested Read: Panch Badri Yatra Itinerary Uttarakhand 

Pandukeshwar Village

The village is  located in a deep valley in the Central Himalayas, near where the Alakananda-Ganga River starts. This village is the last one in Uttarakhand where people live all year round. It sits on an ancient, tricky path that goes from the green northern plains up to Mana Pass, which leads to the icy Tibetan plateau.

There are four ancient stone temples. Here’s what makes them interesting:

1. Yogabadrī Temple: This temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is built in the Drāviḍa style, which is a southern Indian architectural style.
2. Three Other Temples: These temples honor different forms of Vishnu and Ganesh. They are built in the Nāgara style, which is a northern Indian architectural style, but each one is a bit different.

Inside these temples, you can find beautiful gold and copper images of the gods and some old copperplate inscriptions. These inscriptions are written in Sanskrit and date back to the 9th and 10th centuries.

Inscriptions on copper plates found in the area indicate that it was once ruled by the early Katyuri kings and was known as Panchal Desh, now Uttarakhand. During the winter months, when Badrinath is closed, the Yogadhyan Badri Temple serves as a refuge for the Utsava murti (celebration idol). This temple also marks the beginning of the holy procession for reopening Badrinath.

Sapt Badri or Seven Badri:

Festivals

One of the most exciting times to visit is during the Devwar Festival. On this day, the whole town comes alive with locals and priests joining in the festivities. There’s a lot of energy and joy as everyone takes part in the celebrations.

Another important festival is when the idol is brought back to the main Badrinath Shrine. This event also features a grand celebration, marking the end of the ceremony with much fanfare

Suggested Read – A Peaceful Stopover While Traveling to Badrinath Temple – PipalKoti 

Getting There

The nearest major town to Pandukeshwar is Joshimath, which is well-connected by road to various cities in Uttarakhand. From Joshimath, you can easily hire a local taxi or take a shared jeep to reach Pandukeshwar.

Pandukeshwar Hotels

Pandukeshwar has a few cozy guesthouses and lodges like GMVN  that offer a comfortable stay with basic amenities. While the options are limited, you’ll find a welcoming place to rest during your visit.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Pandukeshwar is during the summer months (May to June) and early autumn (September to October). During these periods, the weather is pleasant, and the trekking trails are accessible, making it an ideal time for a visit.