The occasion of Vaman Dwadashi saw the presiding deity of Badrinath’s representative visiting the shrine dedicated to the lord’s mother on Friday. This is the only day in the year when lord Badrinath meets his mother who is also ceremoniously worshiped in her shrine on this occasion.
Vaman Dwadashi is the only day in the year when lord Badrinath goes out to meet his mother and also the day when the Rawal (chief priest) of Badrinath steps outside the temple compound for the first time in the period.
The occasion starts with ceremonies in the main shrine from where the ceremonial palanquin of Uddhav, representing his elder brother Badrinath is carried out by devotees in the presence of the Rawal to the temple of Mata Murti where ceremonial worship is held.
The locals also organise a small fair here on the occasion and stage cultural presentations after which the ceremonial palanquin is taken back to Badrinath where the deity is installed again in the sanctum sanctorum.
The ancient shrine of Mata Murti is located about two kilometers from Badrinath temple on the old bridle path to Mana. It is believed that lord Badrinath had taken his mother’s permission before undergoing penance here.
He had promised his mother that he would meet her often but got so engrossed in his penance that he forgot his promise. Missing her son, she along with her husband Dharma and lakshmi reached Badrinath where after meeting her son she also decided to stay back in this region.
Since then this site has been name Mata Murti where an idol of lord Badrinath’s mother is installed in a small shrine.