Badrinath Dham

Badrinath Dham TourThe picturesque town of Badrinath is where divinity meets with the serenity of nature. Located in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand at the height of 3,133 meters, the pre-eminent abode of Lord Vishnu is one of the holiest of the holy shrines of Char Dham pilgrimage in India. Other Char Dham sites include Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram.

Situated between Nar and Narayan peaks, the pious land of Vishnu also belongs to the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. Starting with Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath, Badrinath is the last and most celebrated stop in the pilgrimage tour of Garhwal Himalayas. Badrinath Dham is easily accessible by motorable roads and the Badrinath temple can be reached by walking along an easy trek. Around 3 km from Badrinath is the village of Mana, which is one of the last villages before the boundary of India ends and that of Tibet begins. The peak of Neelkanth stands strong spreading its mighty aura for all pilgrims and travellers alike.

Badrinath is a land of myriad legends, each one only adding to the glory of this place. Along with these legends, the snowy mountain peaks, gracefully flowing Alaknanda River and incredible landscapes create the perfect background to facilitate a spiritual connection.

Badrinath Temple Opening Dates 2024

The holy shrine of Badrinath in Uttarakhand will open for pilgrimage 2024 on 12 May.

LEGEND BEHIND THE BADRINATH DHAM

Badrikaashram

Badrinath being one of the most legendary Temples, it has numerous mythical tales associated with it. According to one mythological tale, Lord Vishnu had performed rigorous atonement at this place. During his intense meditation, he was unaware about the severe weather conditions. To protect him from the scorching heat of the sun, his spouse Goddess Lakshmi acquired the shape of Badri tree and spread over him. Witnessing this, Lord Vishnu was pleased by her devotion and hence he named the spot after her as Badrikashram.

Lord Narayana�s Desire to Meditate in Badrinath

Another legend states that, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were once performing tapasya in Badrinath. It was then Lord Vishnu came in disguise as a small boy and disrupted them, by crying loudly. On hearing that Goddesses Parvati asked him the reason behind his mournful behavior, to which he replied that he wanted to meditate in Badrinath. Shiva and Parvati, on discovering Lord Narayan in disguise, left Badrinath and moved to Kedarnath.

Tale of Nar and Narayana

Badrinath Dham is also related to the tale of the two sons of Dharma, Nar and Narayana who wished to setup their hermitage and expand their religious base amidst the pious Himalayas. Going by the legends, during their quest to find a suitable place for their hermitage they led to a chanced discovery of the four sites of Panch Badri, namely Dhyan Badri, Yog Badri , Bridha Badri and Bhavishya Badri. Finally they came across a spot which was blessed with two fascinating cold and hot springs behind river Alaknanda. They were extremely overjoyed on finding this place and thus they named this place as Badri Vishal, this is how Badrinath came into being.

Pandava's Ascent to Swargarohini Via Badrinath

It is also said that the Pandavas of the holy epic Mahabharata climbed via 'Swargarohini, popularly known as the ascent to heaven, and Mana town, north of Badrinath while on their route to heaven.

Chardham Uttarakhand

The Origin of River Alaknanda

Last but not the least, there is another great legendary tale, which is associated to Badrinath. Legends state that the holiest and curse reliever, river Ganges had granted the request of Bhagiratha, for relieving the humanity from the curse of sufferings and sins. While ascending to earth, the intensity of river Ganges was such that it could have immersed the entire earth under its waters. To release the earth from such unbearable consequences, Lord Shiva bore her onto his tresses and ultimately, the river Ganges got divided into twelve holy rivers and river Alaknanda, which flows past the sacred Badrinath Temple, was one of them.

What to See in Badrinath Dham?

  • Tourist Attractions near Badrinath

    Badrinath Temple

    Ancient texts hold this abode of Lord Vishnu at a very high esteem, stating - "there are many spots of pilgrimage in the heaven, earth and the world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be." At the height of 3,133 meters, it stands proud with its rich past along the banks of Alaknanda River. Regarded as the most important temple of Vishnu, the Badrinath shrine is said to be established by Adi Shankaracharya. He found the Saligram idol of Lord Badri immersed in the waters of Alaknanda and installed it in a cave near the Tapt Kund.

    It was in the 16th century that a Garhwal King got a temple erected to house the statue of the God. The present structure is the result of plenty of restorations the temple has undergone due to damages caused by avalanches and earthquakes. Lord Vishnu can be worshipped in a black stone idol sitting in a meditative pose surrounded by idols of other gods like Nar, Narayana, Narad, Ganesha, Garud and Kuber. In the winter season, the idol of Lord Badri is shifted to Yogadhyan Badri in Pandukeshwar (Chamoli district).

  • Tapt Kund

    Tapt Kund

    Just below the temple, there is a natural thermal spring which is believed to be infused with therapeutic properties. A dip in the holy and hot waters of the Kund is necessary before a devotee visits the sacred shrine of Badrinath. Near the Tapt Kund also lie five boulders which are, as per mythology, Narad, Narsingh, Varah, Garur and Markanday.

  • Brahma Kapal

    Brahma Kapal

    It is a flat platform by the banks of Alaknanda 100 meters north of the temple. Performing propitiating rites for the deceased family members, it is believed, would free them from the vicious circle of life and death.

  • Neelkanth Peak

    Neelkanth Peak

    Known as the 'Queen of Garhwal', Neelkanth Peak, standing with its gigantic height of 6,597 meter (approx.), sets a great background to the Badrinath shrine. Named after Lord Shiva, the splendour of the snow-covered peak gets augmented as it receives the first rays of the Sun at the crack of dawn.

  • Mata Murti Mandir

    Mata Murti Mandir

    It is located 3 km from the Badrinath temple, on the banks of Alaknanda River. Mata Murti temple is believed to be the mother of Nara and Narayan, the twin-brother avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. It was the relentless prayers of Mata Murti that persuaded Lord Vishnu to take birth from her womb. Every year, in the month of September, pilgrims throng to attend the Mata Murti ka Mela (fair).

  • Charanpaduka

    Charanpaduka

    Strewn with boulders and caves, a steep climb of about 3 km from the Badrinath town will take you to Charanpaduka. It is a rock which is believed to be imprinted with the footprints of Lord Vishnu, as he descended on earth from Vaikunth (his heavenly abode).

  • Sheshnetra

    Sheshnetra

    Between two seasonal lakes, on the opposite bank of Alaknanda, there exists a big rock which gives the impression of Shesh Nag, the legendary snake of Lord Vishnu. The Sheshnetra has a natural mark which looks like an eye of the Shesh Nag. Located 1.5 km from the temple, the serpent is believed to be guarding the sacred shrine of Badrinath.

  • Vasudhara Falls

    Vasudhara Falls

    A 122 meters high beautiful waterfall positioned in the tranquil surroundings of Himalayas can be reached by covering 3 km (up to Mana village) by road and trekking the other 6 km on foot.

How to Reach Badrinath Dham?

Badrinath Tours
Route

Haridwar - Rishikesh - Deoprayag - Kirtinagar - Shrinagar - Rudraprayag - Gauchar - Karnaprayag - Nandprayag - Chamoli - Birahi - Pipalkoti - Garur Ganga - Helang - Joshimath - Vishnuprayag - Govindghat - Pandukeshwar - Hanumanchatti - Badrinath.

  • Badrinath by Air

    By Air:

    Jolly Grant airport, Rishikesh Road, Dehradun, is the nearest airport to Gangotri. One can hire a cab or get a bus from here.

  • Badrinath by Train

    By Train:

    Regular trains to Haridwar and Dehradun are available at all times of the year. One can hire a cab or get a bus from here.

  • Badrinath by Road

    By Bus:

    Badrinath is well-connected with motorable roads from important destinations of Uttarakhand.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Badrinath temple is from April/May to June and September to October/November.

Taking a trip during monsoons involves the risks of floods, landslides and other monsoon related problems. Freezing temperatures in the winter makes winter inappropriate for religious tours in this Chota Char Dham destination.

Badrinath Map

FAQ'S for Badrinath Temple

Q. What is the history of Badrinath Temple & who built it?

There is no historical record of Badrinath Temple but its mention can be traced to Vedic Scriptures. Badrinath Temple is reckoned to be a Buddhist Vihara until the 9th century when Adi Shankaracharya visited and converted it into a Hindu Temple.

Another version of the story asserts, Adi Shankarcharya established Badrinath as a Hindu pilgrimage site by installing the idol of Badrinath that he found in River Alaknanda.

Q. When Does Badrinath Temple Open for Pilgrims?

Badrinath Temple opens for pilgrims between May and November. The date for the opening of the doors of Badrinath for pilgrimage is announced on the day of Basant Panchami.

Q. Which God/Goddess is worshipped in Badrinath Temple?

Lord Vishnu as Badrinarayana is worshipped in Badrinath Temple. Apart from him, the god of wealth, Kubera, sage Narada, Uddhava, Nar and Narayan, Goddess Lakshmi, Garuda (the vahana of Narayan), and Navadurga, the manifestation of Goddess Durga in nine different forms are also worshipped around the temple.

Q. When does snowfall occur in Badrinath Dham?

Being on high altitude, Badrinath Dham is expected to witness considerable snowfall with commencement of winter season in October. However, a significant amount of snowfall can be seen from the second half of November.

Q. What are the morning & evening Aarti (prayer) timings in Badrinath Dham?

The Maha Abhishek or Abhishek Puja, Gita Path and Bhagwath Path commences at 4:30 am in the morning followed by a public puja at 6:30 am. In the evening the temple closes for the day at 9:00 pm with Geet Govind and Aarti.

Q. When does Badrinath Dham close for the pilgrims?

The closing date of Badrinath Dham is declared on the day of Vijaydashmi (Dusshera).

Q. Why does Badrinath Temple remain open for only 6 months for tourists?

Badrinath Temple is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas and owing to its great height it experiences harsh winter season commencing from November till April. Heavy snowfall in winter usually blocks the road and makes Badrinath inaccessible. Therefore, the period between May and October is the only feasible time for the temple to remain open.

Q. What is the most convenient road route to reach Badrinath Dham?

Badrinath Dham is well-connected by NH-7. There are two road routes that can be followed:

  • Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devprayag - Srinagar - Rudraprayag - Gauchar - Karnprayag - Nandprayag - Chamoli - Birahi - Pipalkoti - Garur Ganga - Helang - Joshimath - Vishnuprayag - Govindghat - Pandukeshwar - Hanumanchatti - Badrinath
  • Kedarnath - Gaurikund - Sonprayag - Rampur - Phata - Guptakashi - Ukhimath - Chopta - Gopeshwar - Pipalkoti - Garur Ganga - Joshimath - Govindghat - Badrinath

Q. How is the Mobile Internet Connectivity in Badrinath?

The mobile connectivity of BSNL and Airtel is quite good in Badrinath. 4G internet of the two telecom service providers also work smoothly in Badrinath Dham.

Q. Why is Badrinath Dham so famous in the traveller communities?

Apart from being a popular Hindu pilgrimage site, Badrinath Dham also catches the eyes of the tourists for its easy accessibility and few attractions like Mana Village (the last inhabited village on Indo-Tibet Border), the sacred Alaknanda River, scenic landscape, a few trekking trails, and proximity to attractions like Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib.

Q. How many minimum days are required to visit Badrinath Dham from Delhi or Haridwar/Rishikesh?

A minimum of 5 days are required to visit Badrinath Dham from Delhi or Haridwar/Rishikesh.

Q. How is the road condition from Haridwar to Badrinarayan temple?

The road condition from Haridwar to Badrinath is quite good as the destinations are connected by NH-7. The road is winding though, and after Joshimath becomes slightly tricky with narrow patches but still doable.

Q. Does Badrinath Temple remain open during the monsoon season?

Yes, Badrinath Temple remains open during the monsoon season. The temple opens between the months of May and October/November every year.

Q. Who is the main priest/pundit of Shri Badrinath Temple?

The head priest also known as Rawal, is traditionally a Nambudiri Brahmin chosen from the South Indian state of Kerala.

Q. How to book accommodation for Badrinath Dham?

Our Chardham Yatra Tour experts can assist in booking accommodation for Badrinath Dham as per the client requirement.

Q. Can we book an online puja for Badrinath Dham?

Yes, booking for online puja for Badrinath Dham can be made.

Q. How much time does it take for darshan of Shri Badrinath Ji?

The time taken for darshan usually depends on the length of the queue, however, approximately it takes 15 minutes. Those who are attending the Maha Abhishek in the morning can stay in the temple from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Q. Can I complete Badrinath Darshan by helicopter in one day?

Yes, Badrinath Darshan can be completed in one day by helicopter.

Q. Can I offer flowers in Badrinath Temple?

No, offering flowers in Badrinath Temple is not allowed.

Q. Is any medical certificate required for Badrinath Yatra?

No, no medical certificate is required for Badrinatha Yatra.

Q. What kind of clothes should we take along with us for the Badrinath Pilgrimage Tour?

Woollens clothes like a sweater, thermals, socks, caps and sun hat, gloves should be carried on the Badrinath pilgrimage tour.

Q. Can we place flowers on Badrinath Ji Statue & touch him?

No, pilgrims are neither allowed to place flowers nor touch the statue of Badrinath Ji.

Q. How much time does it take for the darshan of Badrinath Ji for an elderly person?

The time taken for darshan for an elderly person is the same as for other pilgrims. It usually depends on the length of the queue, though approximately it takes 15 minutes. Those who are attending the Maha Abhishek in the morning are allowed to stay in the temple from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Q. How much time does it take to reach Badrinath from Joshimath?

Badrinath is situated at a distance of around 45 km, however due to traffic in peak pilgrimage season (May and June) and narrow road between the two destinations, it takes almost 3 hours to reach.

Q. What is the distance of Badrinath Dham from Haridwar & Rishikesh?

The distance between Haridwar and Badrinath is approx. 320 km and Rishikesh is around 295 km.

Q. Can I hire a personal priest/pundit at Badrinath Dham to perform my special puja?

Yes, with offering a small fee, a personal priest/pundit can be hired to perform special puja at Badrinath.

Q. Is any helicopter service available for the Badrinath Yatra & how to book it?

Yes helicopter service is available for Badrinath Yatra from Dehradun (Sahastradhara). You can book it through our website. Fill in the form displayed on the website. After successful submission of the form, our executive will reach out to you with all the necessary information.

Q. How do I book my Badrinath Dham Yatra package?

Badrinath Dham Yatra package can be booked through our website. Fill in the form on the website, and our executive will shortly get in touch with you.

Q. Apart from the main temple, what places would you suggest us to visit in and around Badrinath Dham and how much time will it take?

There are few places to visit in and around Badrinath Dham like Mana Village (the last inhabited village on Indo-Tibet Border), Charanpaduka, Ganpati Temple and Vasudhara Falls (Mana Village), Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.

Q. How is the accommodation facility in & around Badrinath Dham?

Accommodation facility is quite good in & around Badrinath Dham. At Badrinath one can find accommodations ranging from luxury to budget, whereas in Joshimath, only up to 3-star properties are available. In Pipalkoti, 2 and 3.5-star hotels are available for the visitors.