Pandukeshwar is a holy village within Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. It is located at an altitude of 6300 feet, on the way to Badrinath. It is a famous center of pilgrimage, located between Joshimath and Badrinath. As per legend, King Pandukehwar, father of great Mahabharata epic Pandavas, founded Pandukeshwar. He stayed in Pandukeshwar with his wives Kunti and Madri, after giving his throne to his elder brother Dhritharashtra. One day Pandu went hunting in the jungle and accidentally killed a sage who made love in the form of a deer. Pandukeshwar includes two famous temples. Yogadhyan Badri Temple, one of the sanctuaries of Sapta Badri, and another is the Temple of Lord Vasudev. It is assumed that Pandu installed Vishnu’s bronze image in the Shrine of Yogadhyan Badri. Inscriptions of copper plates found here suggest the rule of early Katyuri Rajas and the area was known as Panchal Desh, now known as Uttarakhand.
The idole of Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity, is in a meditative posture and therefore the image is called Yoga Dhyan Badri. The idol is life-size and was carved from the stone of Shaligram. According to legend the Pandavas handed over Hastinapur to King Parikshit and retired here after defeating and killing their cousins Kauravas in the Mahabharata War. During winters when Badrinath is locked, Yogadhyan Badri Temple is the refuge for Utsava murti. From here begins the holy procession for the temple to open.
