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continued for almost a decade until it culminated in the passing of
Badrinarayan Temple Act on 3 November 1939. Under Sec. 27 of
the Act Shri Pratap Singh Chauhan was appointed special officer.
At that time the temple was in a stage of complete mismanage-
ment,
The architecture
The existing temple was constructed over the old structures by
Sri Baradacharya around the year 1920. The Sinh Dwar (entrance
gate) was constructed separately over the previous structure.
The entire structure is a unique blending of Rajasthanis, Moghal
and Uttarakhand style. Today its place is being taken by a cement
concrete structure which may not harmonise with the nature.
The holy Sand
The holy temple of Badrinath has also been claimed by the
Muslims as the Maqbara of Badruddin and the Buddhists iden-
tify the Shaligram Narayana figure as the Buddha, In fact, the
majesty and magnitude of Badrinath has attracted other religions
to lay a claim on the holy dham—truely the God is one.
There are five other temples of Badri known as Raj Badri, Yog
Badri, Dhyan Badri, Narasinha Badri and Bhavishya Badri. Out
of these, it Is said about Bhavishya Badri in Skandpurana.
'Prapte Kaliyuge dhire agamy a bhawet' (that is, with the approach
ofKaliyug the present Badrikashram will become unapproachable
then Bhawishya Badri mil be worshipped).
The entire area in and around Badrinath is full of holy places
which are associated with one or other mythological events of the
legendary past. Two miles ahead of Badrinath is Mana which
is inhabited by Marchas, as branch of Bhotiyas. Mata Moorti is
located near Mana village. From here one trek leads to Vasu-
dhara fall (400 ft.). It is said Pandavas traversed this route on
their way to Svarga.
The Valley of Gods
Another bridle path climbs all along the Saraswati towards-
Mana Pass (18200 ft.) through Arwa Valley. At a place called
Ghastoli a trek from Gaumukh connects here after crossing
Kalindi Khal. After Ghastoli, the ruggedness of the mountain is