Bharat Mandir - Bharat Mandir in Rishikesh
Bharat Mandir (Temple) is the most ancient, most sacred, most famous temple in Rishikesh. Temple is located in the heart of the city (middle of the city). Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya reinstalled the presiding deity in the temple on the day of Basant Panchmi in 789 A.D. On this day every year the Shaligram is taken for a holy bath in the scared Mayakund and then carried in a grand procession through the city to be taken back to the temple for the symbolic reinstallation. It is also believed that if any pilgrim on the day of Akshya Tritiya takes 108 parikarmas (rounds) of Lord Shri Hrishikesh Naranyan at this temple and seeks the blessing at his feet (it is only day when Lord's feet are uncovered), all his wishes are full filled and it is equivalent to the pilgrimage to Badrinath.
The temple is mentioned in Vishnu Puran, Shrimadbhagwat, Mahabharat, Vaman Puran and Narsingh Puran. Lord Hrishikesh known as Shri Bharatji Maharaj is different from Lord Rama's younger brother Bharat. He is known by the name of Bharat because he is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Kaliyuga, the preserving force holding Shankh, Chakra, Gada and Padam in his four hands. It is said that the five Pandavas along with Draupadi visited here on their way to heaven. Having stayed here for some period and performed worship of Lord Hirishikesh Narayan.
It is said that the main temple is named after the Bharat, Rama's brother who meditated here at the time of the Tretayug along wth his other brothers. There is in fact a belief that in the kalyug, Vishnu will be worshipped as Bharat. The other temples in the vicinity are dedicated to Rama or Raghunath, Lakshmana and Shatrughana.
The four armed idol of Lord Hrishikesh Narayan in the temple signifies that the sage Raibhya conquered over the senses and attained Lord Vishnu.
Places to Visit in Bharat Mandir
Just opposite to the main entrance of temple there is an age old tree. Actually it's a combination of three different trees whose roots are intermingled in such a way that it is next to impossible to visualize them as a separate entity. A Museum, containing sculptures, pottery and decorated bricks found in the temple premises during excavation, has recently been established in the temple. Museum is duly registered and certified by the Department of Archeology Govt. of U.P.
Things to do in Bharat Mandir
Pilgrim on the day of Akshya Tritiya can take 108 parikarmas (rounds) of Lord Shri Hrishikesh Naranyan at this temple and seeks the blessing at his feet (it is only day when Lord's feet are uncovered), all his wishes are full filled and it is equivalent to the pilgrimage to Badrinath.
Hotels near by Bharat Mandir
Hotel Narayana palace, Hotel Gayatri resort.
Places to Visit near Bharat Mandir
There is a scared ghat near to the Bharat Temple called Triveni Ghat and a Temple of Laxmi Narayan next to the Triveni Ghat there you can enjoy Ganga Aarti in every evening.
How to Reach Bharat Mandir
Its only 30 km far from Haridwar, 240 km from Delhi, 35 km from Dehradun, 20 km from Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun, 70 km from Mussoorie. You can go by taxi, by bus & by your private vehicles. Auto rickshaws (Tuk Tuk) also available for Bharat Mandir.
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