Saraswati River is a Vedic River which is believed to be extinct. But the river can be seen in its complete glory at Manibhadrapuri or Mana, the first village of India after the Tibet border.
Manibhadrapuri is the first Indian village after the border of Tibet. It is a holy place where Vyasadeva had his ashrama. The sacredness of this holy village is mentioned in Mahabharata when Pandavas were on their exile and had visited Badrikashrama.
The river Saraswati flows through this sacred town and merges with the Alakananda River at Keshava Prayag which lies between Badrikashrama and Manibhadrabhari. The sacred river originates next to Vyasa-gufa, the place where Veda Vyasa had his ashrama.
Within Manibhadrapuri, one can have darshan of Keshava Prayag – the confluence of Rivers Saraswati and Alakananda. The sacred River Saraswati is the liquid form of Mother Saraswati, the predominating Deity of speech and knowledge.
The origin of Saraswati River
We all commonly know that Saraswati Devi is the consort of Lord Brahma in Brahmaloka. What we don’t know is that she is originally the consort of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha. Narayana Rshi explained to Narada Muni how Saraswati Devi was cursed by Ganga Devi and sent to this earthly realm.
Long ago, in the Vaikuntha Loka there was a duel between Ganga and Saraswati over spending time in ekanta with Lord Vishnu. Not able to tolerate each other, both the consorts of Lord Narayana cursed each other to be born as Rivers on the Earthly realm.
When Lord Vishnu got to know about it, he felt sorry for His consorts. Due to His natural compassionate demeanor, He modified the curse that Ganga would return to Vaikuntha after ten thousand years and that Saraswati although flowing through the cities of sinful people, will be concealed under the ground. That is why Saraswati River is visible and available for touching only in the Manibhadrapuri Area.
The Saraswati River begins the journey at the foothill of the Saraswati Parvata, flows through the plains next to the Muchukunda Gufa and then falls into the gorge to emerge out of Mana. It continues its journey underneath the Bhim Pul till Keshava Prayag for almost a kilometre and merges with Alakananda River.
The greatness of Saraswati River
The Skanda Purana states
darshana-sparsha-snaana-pujaa-stutiyabhi vandanaih
saraswatyaa na vichedaha kule tasya kadaachanah
Anyone who sees, touches, bathes, worships, or glorifies the Saraswati River, there is never a shortfall of intelligence in one’s knowledge. All his descendants will be born intelligent.
Even the Bhagavata Purana glorifies the Saraswati River as it is the birthplace of the Bhagavata Purana and other Vedic literation in their written form. While Vedavyasa was compiling Vedic literature, he was disturbed by the sound created by the Saraswati River. He then cursed the river to become silent. Hence the river flows silently past the Ganesha Gufa.
Temple Timings of Saraswati River
The temple timings of Saraswati River Temple is morning 5 am to 2 pm, 3 pm to 7 pm. During the winter season, the temple remains closed just like the Badrinath Temple and reopens in the Summer Season around Akshaya Tritiya Day.
How to reach Saraswati River
The best way to reach Saraswati River is to visit the sacred town of Badrinath on the World’s best Char Dham Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra. There are other group packages like Badrinath Weekend Yatra, Pancha Badri Yatra which include the visit to Saraswati River.
If you wish to venture on your own, here are the ways:
By Air – the nearest Airport to Badrinath is Dehradun Airport. From Dehradun you may travel to Haridwar or Rishikesh then take a state road transport service to reach Badrinath. You may also reach Badrinath by Helicopter from Dehradun.
By Rail – the nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh or even Haridwar Railway Station. From Rishikesh or Haridwar you may take the state road transport service to reach Badrinath. Rail upto Karnaprayag is expected to reach anytime soon in future. Construction is going on currently.
By Road – Badrinath is connected with a National Highway. From Haridwar or Rishikesh private taxis are available to hire. To use your pocket lightly, you may use the State Road Transport services from Rishikesh or Haridwar to reach Badrinath.
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