Yatra / Diary

http://mahabharatayatra.blogspot.in/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBDCB11976C7B44B6
http://myyatradiary.blogspot.in/2011_06_01_archive.html

Five Dharas

Panch Dharas:

1. Prahalad Dhara
2. Kurma Dhara
3. Urvashi Dhara
4. Bhrigu Dhara
5. Indra Dhara

Most striking dhara is the Indira dhara which is situated around 1.5 km north of the Badaripuri town. Urvashi dhara, originally from the Neelkanth range, is the one situated on the right of river Rishi Ganga. The Bhrigu dhara flows past a number of caves. The water of Kurma dhara is extremely cold whereas Prahlad dhara has lukewarm water, which slithers down the rocks of Narain Mountain.

Demons (Asuras) and Devas (Demigods)

Nara and Narayana, the two sages, were undergoing penances and austerities (Tapas) at Badrinath in the Himalayas. Demons (Asuras) and Devas (Demigods) wanted to know what Nara and Narayana were seeking.

Asuras, in accordance with their innate nature thought the two Saints were seeking power. They therefore, sent an army to fight them but the two saints refused to fight. But due to the powerful Tapas conducted by them, the grass that was around the two rishis protected them, and those demons that tried to attack them were burned down.

Indra, the king of the Devas, according to his innate character, thought that the two wanted to overthrow him and rule over heaven. So he sent Apsaras (nymphs) to disturb the two saints through sexual distraction. Seeing the Apsaras, Narayana placed a flower on his thigh and immediately there sprung from it a beautiful nymph whose charms far excelled those nymphs sent by Indra. Since this beautiful nymph came out of the thigh she was called Urvashi. Narayana bestowed her upon Indra and she went to his court.

Radha

http://radhainfo.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-shri-krishna-had-to-leave-radha.html