Urvashi Temple in Badrinath Dham is dedicated to Urvashi Devi, the celestial apsara. Urvashi was created from the left lotus thigh of Lord Narayana in Badrikashrama. Urvashi Temple is located at 1.5 kms from the Badrinath Temple on the banks of the sacred Alakananda River in Bamni village. The temple is accessible by walk only.
Urvashi Temple is set against the backdrop of Urvashi Parvat, Nilkanth Parvat and the Narayana Parvat. The gushing waterfall of Rishi Ganga further enhances the beauty of this place. The panoramic view of Nara Parvata along with other snow-capped mountains captivates one’s heart.
The Vedic History of Urvashi Temple
The Urvashi Temple stands at the site where Urvashi Devi appeared from the thighs of Lord Narayana Who was engaged in penances here along with Nara. The fourth canto of the Bhagavata Purana explains the appearance of Sri Nara-Narayana as the sons of Dharma Prajapati and his wife Murti Devi. After the appearance of Sri Nara-Narayana, the entire world was in a joyous mood and there was absolute serenity everywhere.
There were celebrations throughout the universe especially in the heavenly planets. The Kinnaras and Gandharvas sang while the Apsaras danced. Flowers were showered from the heavens. All the devatas including Lord Brahma were delighted and came forward to express their happiness. The devatas offered very beautiful prayers to please Sri Nara-Narayana. The Lord accepted their prayers and glanced at them showing mercy.
Following this, Sri Nara-Narayana departed for the famous Gandhamadana Hills. Later, they moved to Badarikashrama to engage in penances for the benefit of humanity. While in Badarikashrama, their intense penances rattled the court of King Indra, who thought that Sri Nara-Narayana wanted to take over his kingdom and wealth. To counteract this, he sent some of the most beautiful apsaras from his court.
The apsaras are celestial beauties found in the upper planetary systems whose business is to entertain the devatas chiefly through their dances. Apart from entertaining him and his court, Lord Indra would use apsaras to break the penances of anyone whom he felt was a threat to his throne. Here, these apsaras had to break the penances performed by Sri Nara-Narayana.
After the apsaras arrived at the place where the Lord was engaged in penances, they started seducing them with their exciting dances and moves. When Sri Nara-Narayana became alert about this, They didn’t curse the apsaras. Rather, smilingly, Lord Narayana touched His lotus thigh from Which came a woman so beautiful that the apsaras were ashamed of their own beauty and activity.
Sri Nara-Narayana conveyed that they had no interest in taking over the throne of Indra and that they were only seeking spiritual realization. It was conveyed that Indra need never fear the Nara-Narayana rishis. The celestial beauty who appeared from the thigh of Lord Narayana was named ‘Urvashi’.
The word ‘Uru’ implies thigh and hence the word. She was sent to the court of Indra along with the other apsaras on the order of Sri Nara-Narayana. The Urvashi Temple was built here to honour this lila.
Deity and Architecture of Urvashi Devi Temple
Urvashi Devi along with Pururava is the presiding deity of this temple. The brightly painted temple has a simple architecture based on the Nagara style of architecture found in northern India. A small shikhara stands over the sanctum. A big brass bell marks the entrance.
There are two decorated pillars at the entrance of the sanctum. Else, inside the Urvashi Devi Temple is a huge hall where devotees can come and have darshan, perform pujas, etc.
Temple Timings of Urvashi Temple
The Urvashi is temple is open throughout the day. Devotees can visit the temple for darshan any time from 7 am to 8 pm.
Best Time to Visit Urvashi Temple
The time-period from May to June and the period from September to October is the best time to visit the Urvashi Temple.
How to Reach Urvashi Temple
If you wish to have darshan of Urvashi Temple in Badrinath Dham, it is best to travel on the Sapta Badrinath Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra. You will undoubtedly have wonderful darshan at Urvashi Temple.
Once you reach Badrinath town, there is no problem accessing the temple. There are multiple modes to reach which are as follows
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.
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