Badrinath

Religious

Uttarakhand

11°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Badrinath is perched on the Garhwal hill tracks near the Alaknanda River. Known for its Badrinath Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Badrinath is one of the four Char Dham and Chota Char Dham yatras and is one of the holiest sites for Hindus.

Badrinath temple is placed between Nar and Narayan mountains and in the backdrop of the mighty Neelkanth mountain, which is popular for its stunning views.

Believed to be established by the saint Adi Shankaracharya, Badrinath Temple is located at a height of 10,279 feet above sea level. A black stone idol of Lord Vishnu is placed inside the temple, which is 1 meter tall and believed to be one of the 8 Swayam Vyakta kshetras or self-manifested idols of Vishnu.

Best Time To Visit Badrinath

The holy site of Badrinath remains closed from November to April. The best time to visit Badrinath is during the season of summer, between the months of May and June. The temperature during this time remains pleasant and comfortable. Between September and October, during the post-monsoon season, a few devotees visit Badrinath. It is advisable to avoid Badrinath during peak monsoon season because the place becomes prone to landslides and cloudbursts.

History of Badrinath

The Tirthasthana derived its name from the local word Badri which means wild berry when translated in English. It is widely believed that when Lord Vishnu sat in penance while roaming in these mountains, his consort Goddess Laxmi took the form of a wild berry tree and provided shade to Lord Vishnu and protected him from the harsh sun. Not only a dwelling place of Lord Vishnu, but Badrinath is also home to countless pilgrims, sages, and saints who meditate here to find enlightenment.

Major Attractions of Badrinath

1. Badrinath Temple

Located near the Alaknanda River, the temple of Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the Chota Char Dham, perched on the Garhwal hill tracks. It is home to a black idol of Lord Vishnu and is one of the most visited pilgrimages in North India.

2. Charan Paduka

Located 3 kilometers away from Badrinath, Charan Paduka is a rock with imprints of what is believed to be Lord Vishnu’s footprints. Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu set his foot here which can be reached after an arduous trek.

3. Vasudhara Falls

Some 9 kilometers away from Badrinath, there is a quaint village called Mana, which is home to the gushing Vasudhara Falls. The falls merge with the river Alaknanda at a height of 12,000 feet and this spot is believed to be the resting place of the Pandavas. To reach Vasudhara Falls, one has to trek for 6 kilometers.

4. Neelkanth

Situated in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Neelkanth is a major peak in the Garhwal region. Due to its close proximity to Badrinath, it is one of the most significant and religiously important peaks. Almost 6,500 meters tall, Neelkanth overlooks the lovely Alaknanda Valley.

5. Bheem Pul

Situated on the Saraswati River near Badrinath, Bheem Pul is a natural bridge made of stones. It is believed that Bheem constructed this bridge while the Pandav brothers wanted to cross the river. The fierce Saraswati River gushing through the stunning natural bridge is a breathtaking sight.

How To Reach Badrinath

Badrinath is a place that is connected by all three means of transport, air, rail, and road. Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airbase and Rishikesh railway station is the nearest railhead from Badrinath. One of the Chota Char Dham is well connected by motorable roads to all cities in Uttarakhand while buses are available from ISBT New Delhi connecting it to other cities in India. From Dehradun, helicopter service is also available.

Nearest metropolitan city. New Delhi
Nearest second-tier city. Dehradun
Distance from Delhi. 550 Kms
Distance from Rishikesh. 295 Kms
Distance from Dehradun. 317 Kms

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By Air

At a distance of almost 314 kilometers, the nearest airport to Badrinath is Jolly Grant in Dehradun. It is a major domestic airport that connects Uttarakhand with major cities. Private taxis are available from the airport to Badrinath.

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available To Reach Badrinath

By Train

Rishikesh is the nearest railhead to Badrinath which is 295 kilometers away from the destination. This railway station is well-connected with major cities in India. Just outside the station, buses and taxis are available to cover the remaining distance.

By Road

Badrinath is well-connected to cities like Dehradun and Rishikesh by motorable roads. From ISBT New Delhi, one can board the buses to Haridwar, Dehradun, and Rishikesh and then can cover the remaining distance by local buses. NH 58 from Ghaziabad connects Badrinath to Delhi.