It lies 40 kms. north of Yamunanagar town. It is approached by road via Bilaspur and is about 2 kms from the nearest village Kathgarh. It is located on the foothills of the Shivaliks. It is a picturesque location, abundant with natural beauty and tranquility. Three mounds of antiquities have recently been excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Adi Badri, On the Saraswati River, Yamunanagar, Paniwala, Haryana 133204
Adi Badri, also Sri Sarasvati Udgam Tirath,[1] is a tourist site of archaeological, religious and ecological significance in a forest area in the foothills of the Sivalik Hills in Bhabar area, situated in northern part of Yamunanagar district, of the north Indian state of Haryana. There are remains of many Buddhist stupas and monasteries,[2] which are about 1500–2000 years old,[3] and there is also a group of Hindu temples from the 9th century. Based on the multiple archaeological excavations undertaken here, archaeologists have sent the proposal to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to include this site in the list of protected heritage site.[4] Several popular annual festivals are held here, including the five day long National Saraswati Festival in January,[5] Adi Badri Akha Teej Mela in Vaisakh around April–May,[6] week-long Adi Badri-Kapal Mochan Kartik Purnima religious mela around November.[7]
Adi Badri, often related to the Saraswati River,[8] is one of the most ancient Vedic religious site in Haryana, along with 48 kos parikrama of Kurukshetra, Dhosi Hill and Kapal Mochan.[citation needed] The Somb river passing through here is considered by some to follow the course of the Rig Vedic Sarasvati river.[9][title missing][page needed] It lies in the ecosensitive zone of Kalesar National Park.[citation needed] Adi Badri Vatika herbal park developed by the state’s forests department also lies here.[10]
Adi Badri Heritage Board was formed by the state govt to develop the area and to revive the sacred Sarasvati river,[11][12] and also owing to its religious, ecological and tourism significance and potential.
Adi Badri can be reached from Jagadhri by a 40 km long all-weather road via Bilaspur, Haryana. The nearest village is Kathgarh, which is situated 2 km southwest from Adi Badri.
Kapal Mochan on Jagadhari road is an ancient place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs, 17 km north-east of Jagadhari town, on the Bilaspur road in Yamuna Nagar district.[14]
Nearby Bilaspur, Haryana (not to be confused with Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh) in Yamuna Nagar District which takes its name from the corrupted form of “Vyas Puri”, was the ashram of Ved Vyasa rishi where he wrote the Mahabharta on the banks of Sarasvati river near Adi Badri where Sarasvati river leaves Himalayas and enters the plains.[15]
Lohgarh was established as capital of Sikh empire of Banda Singh Bahadur in 1710
ASI has carried out excavations of 3 mounds over 9 years on this 13.5 acres site, with plans for further excavations. ASI has sent the proposal to Ministry of culture in 2013 to notify this as the protected site.
Buddhism
See also: Bodh Stupa, Topra, Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Haryana, Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, and Buddhist pilgrimage sites
There are remains of many Buddhist stupas and monasteries near the confluence of rivers Som and Saraswati in Adi Badari.[2] These stupas and monasteries, built of hard bricks, are about 1500–2000 years old.
Buddhism
See also: Bodh Stupa, Topra, Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Haryana, Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, and Buddhist pilgrimage sites
There are remains of many Buddhist stupas and monasteries near the confluence of rivers Som and Saraswati in Adi Badari.[2] These stupas and monasteries, built of hard bricks, are about 1500–2000 years old.
Adi Badri Buddhist monastery is dated to 10th-12th century.[18] Few cells, big enough to accommodate one person, and a Buddha statue suggest that this rare ancient monastery was meant for meditation.[19][20][21] Buddhist statues from 12th century CE were discovered here.
Yamuna Nagar Adi Badri is a group of Hindu temples from the 9th century. Excavations by ASI unearthed several ancient sculpture and monuments pertaining to the Vaishnavism, Shiva and Shakti traditions,[4] including late medieval Adi Badri-Narayana temple (Vishnu) built by Adi Shankaracharya on the banks of Somb river,[1] Shakti-Mantra Devi temple (wife of Abhimanyu and daughter of king Virata of Matsya Kingdom during Mahabharta)[1] and Sri Kedarnath Temple (Shiva).[16] Several 9th century CE Hindu statues of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha were discovered here.[16] Archaeological finds also include lingam, which is estimated by experts to be 4,000 years old.[1] Nearby Kathgarh village is hub of several oral traditions related to the Saraswati Civilization.
According to legends, this is the place where Ved Vyasa wrote Bhagavata Purana,[4] and Pandavas stayed her during the last year of their exile.[6]
Adi Badri has a Sarasvati kund (pond) for the worship of Sarasvati river where evening aarti is held every day. Adi Badri Akha Teej Mela is a large fair that takes place at the Hindu temple complex on the Akshaya Tritiya (Akha Teej) in Vaisakh around April or May.[6] The popular week-long annual Adi Badri-Kapal Mochan Kartik Purnima religious mela is usually held around November.[7] All the main Hindu festivals are also celebrated at the ancient temple complex.
Adi Badri Heritage Board
Meditation cell at Adi Badri
The Government of Haryana, headed since 2014 by BJP, announced setting up of the Adi Badri Heritage Board and its plans to revive the sacred Sarasvati river by creating a new water channel along the supposed path of the river.[11][12] The board has 70 partner organisations, for research on Sarasvati river, including ASI, ISRO, several IITs and Union Government ministries of India
Adi Badri Heritage Board
Meditation cell at Adi Badri
The Government of Haryana, headed since 2014 by BJP, announced setting up of the Adi Badri Heritage Board and its plans to revive the sacred Sarasvati river by creating a new water channel along the supposed path of the river.[11][12] The board has 70 partner organisations, for research on Sarasvati river, including ASI, ISRO, several IITs and Union Government ministries of India
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