Leela Dhungi is the transcendental birthplace of Lord Badrinath located on the banks of the sacred Alakananda River near the town of Badrinath in the state of Uttarakhand (India). It falls on the way to Bamni village and is marked by a shila i.e., stone slab on whose top Lord Badrinath appeared as a crying child. Although the Supreme Lord is unborn, sometimes to enhance the pleasure and relationship with His devotees, He performs His lilas just like an actor performing a role on the stage.
Located amidst the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas that shade Badrinath Dham, you would undoubtedly fall in love with the 360° view which is incomparable anywhere. This would truly humble you and put you at peace. Our mega cities seem trivial in front of them. It falls in the line of sight of the sacred Neelkant Parvat where Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi shifted after giving up Leela Dhungi.
As the name suggests, it is indeed a transcendental spot where Lord Badrinath performed one of His sweetest lilas. Small children are very cute and sweet usually. So, when the Supreme Lord Himself appears as a small child, how sweet and cute would He be?
The Lila of Leela Dhungi
As per the Vedic scriptures, Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi were residing on the banks of the sacred Alakananda River in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. It was specifically the meditation place of Lord Shiva. While they were sitting on the banks of the river, they heard the cry of a child.
Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a beautiful child crying piteously lying on a shila (rock). Feeling compassionate, Mother Parvati took the child and brought him to their residence on the banks of the Alakananda River. Lord Shiva persuaded her not to get involved with the child, but she did not listen. After feeding the child, when the child was asleep, they went out for a walk.
Lord Narayana Settles at Badrinath
When they came back, they found that the door of their residence was locked from inside. It couldn’t be opened no matter how much they tried. Suddenly, the door opened revealing Lord Narayana in His regal form who addressed Parvati Devi as Mother. Lord Narayana desired to stay at Badarikashrama between the Nara-Narayana Mountains. He told Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi to move to Nilkanth Parvat (Kedarnath). He also asked them to join Him every evening in playing here. He also announced that anyone who comes to Badrinath to have darshan of Lord Badri Narayana will have to take darshan of Sri Kedareshwara to fully complete one’s Badrinath Yatra.
Following this, Lord Narayana assumed the form of a child again. It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi come here every evening to play with Lord Badrinath. The place where Lord Badrinath appeared on the shila came to be called ‘Leela Dhungi’.
Sacred Spots near Leela Dhungi
The region around Leela Dhungi abounds in sacred spots whether it is just two steps away or a few kilometres away. These are the ones you’ll come across –
Nanda Devi Temple: It is dedicated to Nanda Devi, an incarnation of Parvati Devi. It is also said that Nanda Devi is the sister of Parvati Devi and thus she gets to be the Mausi of Lord Badri Vishal
Urvashi Devi Temple: It is dedicated to Urvashi Devi, the celestial beauty who was created from the left thigh of Lord Narayana. This is a shakti-peetha and the eternal residence of Lord Narayana.
Badrinath Temple: The majestic temple of Lord Badrinarayana which is open during the summer season. Other sacred spots around the temple include Brahma Kapal Ghat, Tapta Kund, Narada Kund.
Rishi Ganga River: This is one of the tributaries of Alakananda River which is originating from the foothill of Mount Neelkanth.
Best Time to Visit Leela Dhungi
The best time to visit Leela Dhungi is from April to June and from September to October. In other words, whenever the temple of Sri Badri Vishal is open, one can visit Leela Dhungi.
How to Reach Leela Dhungi
If you ever plan to visit Leela Dhungi along with a visit to other sacred spots in Badrinath, do try the Pancha Badri Yatra by Tirtha Yatra. You will get a lifetime experience visiting Lord Badrinath and His birth place.
It is very close to Badrinath. All you have to do is reach Badrinath and everything else becomes easy. You could try these ways –
By Road: Badrinath is well connected to cities in Uttarakhand via bus services and taxis. You can get direct buses or taxis from Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, etc. From cities outside Uttarakhand, you can reach cities like Dehradun or Haridwar and then catch a taxi or bus for the journey forward to Badrinath.
There are regular buses from ISBT, Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi to Dehradun and onto Badrinath thereafter.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh 289 kms away. You can board a train to Rishikesh Railway Station (RKSH) and then board a bus or hire a taxi to Badrinath from Rishikesh. If you are traveling to Badrinath from other cities in Uttarakhand by rail, you can adopt the same procedure.
By Air: Jolly Grant International Airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport 306 kms away. You can fly in here and use the rail or road route to reach Badrinath.
Helicopter services are available from Dehradun to Badrinath. They are the fastest and bring you closest to Badrinath even though costly.
Leela Dhungi: An Act of Sweetness
Whenever Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu appears, He chooses a particular way and place to appear. Lord Krishna appeared in a prison cell in Mathura, Lord Rama at the king’s palace in Ayodhya, Narasimhadeva from the pillar of Hiranyakashipu’s palace, etc. Everywhere, He has a clear reason behind His appearance, sometimes far beyond our understanding.
In Badrinath dham too, the Lord’s appearance here is a special one. He could have chosen a different place to appear or directly come and settle down in Badrinath. But by these lilas, He projects His sweetness and causes great joy for His devotees forever.
Don’t forget that you too are blessed if you are able to witness this sacred place. This is a reason to remember Lord Badrinath more and more. Jay Badri-Vishal.
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