Home  badrinath  kedarnath  yamnotri  gangotri  rishikesh  haridwar  chardham  Uttarkashi  Guptkashi  Mussoorie  Auli

Badrinath Dham is one of the oldest Hindu places of worship. On the right bank of the river Alaknanda lies the sacred shrine perched at an altitude of 3133 m above sea level, guarded on either side by the two mountain peaks Nar & Narain with the towering Neelkanth peak providing a splendid back-drop. Also known as the Vishal Badri, the largest among the five Badris, it is revered by all as the apt tribute to Lord Vishnu. Once the spot was carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries and hence was famous as 'Badri Van'. 

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull & spire. Legend dates the temple prior to the vedic age and the original temple is believed to be built by King Pururava and the icon of the lord carved by Vishwakarma, the craftsman of the gods. A Hindu reformist Adi Shankaracharya re-enshrined the temple back in the 8th century. 


A flight of steps takes pilgrims to the main gate & then into the temple. The temple is divided into three parts - the 'Garbha Griha' or the sanctum sanctorum, the 'Darshan Mandap' where the rituals are conducted and the 'Sabha Mandap' where devotees assemble. The Garbha Griha portion has its canopy covered with a sheet of gold offered by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The complex has 15 idols. Especially attractive is the one-meter high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in the meditative pose of padmasan. Special pujas are also performed on behalf of individuals. Every puja must be preceded by a holy dip in the Tapta Kund. Some of the special morning pujas are Abhishek, Mahaabhishek and Geeta Path. Some special evening pujas are Aarti & Geet Govind. Such pujas are to be booked in advance. The temple opens at 0430 hrs & closes at 1300 hrs. Once again it opens at 1600 hrs & closes at 2100 hrs after the divine song Geet Govind. Rawal is the administrator.The Pujari of the temple is well versed in puja ceremonies & Sanskrit language and is expected to be celibate..

Badrinath Temple
On the right bank of the Alaknanda lies the sacred spot perched at an altitude of 3,133 meters above sea level. Encircled by a beautiful valley, the 15mtrs. high temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of gilt, surmounted by a ball ball and spire. Built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya - the philosopher-saint of the 8th century, the temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches. Its colourful 'Singh Dwara' or the main entrance gate gives it a new, modern look. 

The temple is divided into three parts - the 'garbha griba' or sanctum sanctorum, the 'darshan mandap' where the rituals are conducted and the 'sabha mandap'where devotees assemble.The complex has 15 idols. Especially attractive is the one meter high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose. 


Tapt Kund
Devotees take a holy dip in the natural thermal springs on the banks of the river Alaknanda, before entering the Badrinath Temple. The water of the kund is believed to have medicinal properties.


Hemkund Sahib (43 kms.) 
Near the Valley of Flowers is the holy lake Hemkund- an important pilgrimage destination of the Sikhs and Hindus. Along its shores is the sacred Sikh Shrine where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru unified with God after prolonged mediation in his previous birth. 

Nearby is the Lakshman Temple where Lakshman - the brother of Lord Rama performed his penance. The reflection of the surrounding snow-clad peaks in its placid waters offers a scenic sight. 


Brahma Kapal
A flat platform on the bank of the River Alaknanda where Hindus perform propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors. 


Neelkanth 
A Pyramidical-shaped snowy peak towering above Badrinath, popularly known as the 'Garhwal Queen'. 


Mana Village (4 kms.) 
Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is considered to be the last Indian village before Tibet on this route. Nearby are Vyas Gufa - the rock cave of saint Ved Vyas, the writer of the Mahabharata; Bhim Pul - a natural bridge over the Saraswati river, and Vasundhara Falls - a 122 mts. high waterfall - all forming an important part of the pilgrimage to Badrinath. 


Mata Murti Temple (3 kms.) 
On the right bank of the Alaknanda stands the temple dedicated to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. 


Alka Puri (15 kms.) 
The source of the Alaknanda river from the glacier snouts of Bhagirath - Kharak and Satopanth glaciers. 


Satopanth (25 kms.) 
A three cornered lake with a circumference of about 1 km., situated at an elevation of 4,402 mts. above sea level. It is named after the Hindu triad - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, who are believed to occupy one corner each of the lake. The trek is hazardous with dramatic landscapes. An experienced guide is advisable. Govindghat (25 kms.) 

The confluence of Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers has an imposing Gurudwara named after Guru Gobind Singh. 


Joshimath (44 kms.) 
The winter home of Shri Badrinathji is situated on the slopes above the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. It is one of the four 'maths' established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. 


Panch Prayag
The five important confluences- Deoprayag, Nandprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Vishuprayag, form the Panch Prayag. 


Deoprayag
The confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. Ancient stone scriptures are found here. Important pilgrim spots are Shiv Temple and Raghunath Temple. 


Rudraprayag The confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. The temples of Rudranath and Chamunda Devi are noteworthy. 


Nandprayag
Also at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. The Gopalji Temple is worth a visit. 


Karnaprayag
The confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers with temples of Uma and Karna.


Vishnuprayag
The confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers. An ancient temple of Lord Vishnu stands here by a pool called Vishnu Kund. 


Srinagar 
The old capital of Garhwal, it is an important cultural and educational centre. Places to visit include Kamleshwar and Kilkeshwar temples and the Shankar Math. 

HOW TO REACH 
Airport
Jolly Grant (317 kms.) 


Railhead
Rishikesh (300 kms.), Kotdwar (327 kms.) 

Road
Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, Kotdwar and other hill stations of the Garhwal and Kumaon region.