Uttarakhand 73
voured to cross the high and perilous mountains, particularly
in those days when there was no well laid out trek. Out of
these early trekkers one was Ved Vyasa who settled near Mana
and wrote famed epic Mahabharata and Skandpurana after exten-
sive survey of the Himalayas.
Here, there is a thermal spring which gives forth thick
smoke or steam, of a strong sulphurous smell, and the water is
so hot as to be scarcely endurable to the touch.
The temple has a 'Taptkund'. Though Sankracharya arrived on
the scene quite late but he made his mark as an ardent exponent
of eternal (Sanatana) Hinduism. When he arrived at Badrinath,
he learnt that the original idol of Badrinarayana had been thrown
in the nearby Taptkund (hot spring) by the infidels, most proba-
bly Buddhists. He retrieved the idol and installed it at its rightful
place and thus laid the foundation of Chaturdham (fourth house
of religion), the other three being at Jagannathpuri, Rameshwaram
and Dwarikapuri. Thus Sankracharya gave to India the idea
of socio-religious unity which has always been a driving force
behind Indian political framework.
The hot spring in so hot that cold water has to be mixed before
-we could take a bath in it. The idol inside the temple is formed
of black stone which is locally designated as Saligram. It is
usually clothed with rich gold brocade, and above its head is a
small mirror which reflects the objects from tjie outside. In
front are several lamps always burning, one of which is Akhand
Jyoti—which burns round the year, to the right over the
images of Nar and Narayan. As per traditions even today a good
deal of ostentatious attention is paid to the personal comforts of
the idol at Badri. It is daily provided with meals, which are
placed before it, and the doors of sanctuary are then closed and
the idol is left to consume its meals in solitude and quietness. The
doors continue to be closed and are opened at sunset and later
the bed of Lord Badrinath is prepared by the attendants, the
doors are again closed until morning. A large number of devoted
Brahmin attendants look after the temple beside the Rawal.
The institution of Rawali
Eve since the installation of this Dham the opening and
•closing ceremony of this temple is performed by the Rawals who