Bansi Narayan Temple is situated in Urgam Valley in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
It is an 8th-century single structure temple dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Krishna. The temple is located 10 km ahead of the last village of Urgam, Bansa. A quadrangular ten-foot-high Lord Vishnu statue is established in the temple.
The place is not covered by Human civilization. It is serene and peaceful here. It is located at the altitude of 3600 meters and surrounded by ranges of Nanda Devi.
The locals believe that “Lord Krishna plays Raas Leela with his friends here at the temple.
They say that the ones with great devotion to Lord Krishna can hear the voice of his flute.
The doors of the Bansi Narayan temple open once a year that is on Raksha Bandhan. Sisters visit the temple and worship the Lord and then tie Rakhi on their brother’s wrists.
It is believed that the Bansi Narayan temple was constructed in the Mahabharata Era when the Pandavas were in exile.
Summers and Spring are the best time to explore the city and Visit Bansi Narayan Temple.
Monsoons are the worst time to visit this place, and trekking should be avoided during Monsoon.
It takes 10-12 hrs to reach the temple after a trek of 15 km.
The trek route is not that vast. It is moderate, and the scenery is beautiful and peaceful. Beautiful villages, lushes, and mountains during the trek are witnessed during the trek.
This place is famous for activities like Adventure, camping, pilgrimage, Temples, and Trekking.
There are lots of stories related to the temple and its history.
There is a story that the cruel King Bali used to rule the entire world. The other gods and goddesses asked Vishnu for help. So Lord Vishnu assumed the Vamana avatar (Dwarf).
When he met King Bali, he asked him for land measuring up to three steps, and King Bali smiled and asked him to put his three steps on any land, and it will be granted. Shri Vishnu acquired a gigantic form and covered the whole universe with two strides. The pride of King Bali got shaken, and he asked the Vamana to place his third stride on his head.
King Bali was sent to the Underworld with the pressure of Vaman’s foot. Then Bali requested the Lord to make him his gatekeeper. So, Lord Vishnu and Bali both went to the Underworld, assuming the role. After some time, Mata Lakshmi asked Narad Muni about Lord Vishnu. Narad Muni narrated the whole plot and asked her to travel to the Underworld on the full moon of Shravan month and tie a Raksha Sutra on King Bali’s wrist. Goddess Lakshmi then traveled to Pataal Lok to tie a rakhi to King Bali in order to free Lord Vishnu. The Bansi Narayan temple Uttarakhand is the place where Lord Narayana emerged from the Underworld.
The temple has its uniqueness. Idols of both Lord Narayana and Lord Shiva are situated here, along with Lord Ganesha. The forest goddess sculptures are also graced in this temple. One must visit this temple and enjoy the city as well.