Badrinath Temple

Badrinath Dham is ranked amongst the oldest and is considered as the most revered places amongst Hindus. Comfortably situated along the right bank of the majestic river Alaknanda, at an altitude measuring 3133 m above sea level, the dham or the heavenly abode, stands protected by indomitable mountain peaks named Nar and Narain on the either side, with an impressively lofty Neelkanth mountain peak offering a resplendent background altogether. The shrine is also known by the name of Vishal Badri, the biggest amongst five Badris, and is a true homage to Lord Vishnu, postured in meditative mood or the padmasan. Other of four Badris includes Bhavishya Badri, Yogdhyan Badri, Bridha Badri and Adi badri respectively.

Badrinath Temple was originally built by King Pururava, and none other than the great artisan of gods, Vishwakarma, artistically carved it. Much later in 8th century, well-known Hindu reformist Adi Shankaracharya re-enshrined the temple. The temple architecture puts a fabulous semblance for the eyes of the on looker. It is divided into three segments namely the 'Garbha Griha' or the sanctum sanctorum, the 'Darshan Mandap' the Ritual Hall and the 'Sabha Mandap' or the Devotees Assembly Hall. The whole temple complex has 15-idols, of which the statue of Lord Badri or Vishnu, subtly chiseled from Black stone, simply catches the imagination by awe and reverence.

Badrinath Temple open every year in April and May, and closes in third week of November. The temple is opened for the devotees from 0430 hrs till 1300 hrs. It opens again from 1600 hrs to 2100 hrs after the Rawal recites Geet Govind. Rawal is the celibate temple administrator or the Pujari who is well versed in performing special morning prayers, Abhishek and Mahaabhishek; and evening Pujas such as Aarti and Geet Govind in Sanskrit respectively. The individual devotees can also carry out sacred oblation. And every Puja ceremony must be carried out only after taking holy dip in Tapta Kund.

 Places to See in Badrinath

Badrinath Temple:

There is most famous Shrine dedicated to lord Vishnu. This temple is built by Adi guru Shankaracharya in 8th Century AD. This temple has been recreated several times due to damage by avalanches..

Tapt Kund & Surya Kund :

Tapk Kund and Surya Kund are famous natural hot water springs. Before entering the Badrinath Temple devotees take holy dip on it to purify thir body and soul.

Charanpaduka :

Holy footprints of Lord Vishnu found on a boulder.

NeelKanth:

This rock it just over the Badrinath Temple called Garhwal Queen. It is a pyramid shaped rock (6,597 met.) covered by snow.

Panch Dhara :Badrinath is famous for its five famous streams Prahlad, Urvashi, Kurma, Indira and Bhrigo.

Panch Bardris :Including main Badrinath temple there are five famous Badris Temple to vist.

Vishal Badri:The main Shri Bardrinath temple


Adi Badri :This is located at a distance of 16 kms from Karnaprayag in Ranikhet Road.


Bhavishya Badri :This is localted 18 Kms far from Joshimath .


Vridha Badri : This is Located at 17 kms from Joshimath. This place is called Animath.


YogDhyan Badri :25 Kms. Far from Badrinath temple

Char Dham

The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) sites comprising of Rameswaram, Badrinath, Puri and Dwarka. Though the origins are not clearly known, the Advaita school of Hinduism established by Sankaracharya, who created Hindu monastic institutions across India, attributes the origin of Char Dham to the seer. The four monastries lie across the four corners of India and their attendant temples are Badrinath Temple at Badrinath in the North, Jagannath Temple at Puri in the East, Dwarakadheesh Temple at Dwarka in the West and Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram in the South. Though ideologically the temples are divided between the sects of Hinduism, namely Saivism and Vaishnavism, the Char Dham pilgrimage is an all Hindu affair. There are four abodes in Himalayas called Chota Char Dham (Chota meaning small) comprising of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri - all of these lie at the foot hills of Himalayas. The name Chota was added during the mid of 20th century to differentiate the original Char Dhams. The journey across the four cardinal points in India is considered sacred by Hindus who aspire to visit these temples once in their life time. Traditionally the trip starts are the eastern end from Puri, proceeding in clockwise direction in a manner typically followed for circuambulation in Hindu temples

Badrinath General Information:

Best Time to Visit:

Badrinath Dham opening and closing dates are decides by the Raj Purohit. Opening date decides on Basant Panchami and Closing date is being fixe on Vijaydashmi. April to June and September to October are the best season to visit this temple on atmosphere behalf.

 Temperature:

Summer: Max:- 8.C. Min-.0 deg.C.
Winter Max- Around Zero
Clothing: Woolen.
Languages/Dialects : Hindi, English & Garhwali.

How to Reach:

Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun 337 kms far
Rail: The nearest railhead, Rishikesh, is 292 kms.
Road: Badrinath Temple is well connected by road.

Distance from the Nearest Major Cities:

Distance from Joshimath : 45 kms.
Distance from Rudraprayag : 165 kms.
Distance from Rishikesh : 292 kms.
Distance from Haridwar : 324 kms.
Distance from Dehradun : 337 kms.
Distance from Delhi : 607 kms.

Mana, the last village on the Indian side, before the Tibetan border, lies 3 km north of Badrinath. With the onset of winters, the villagers of Mana offer a choli to lord Badri to protect the deity from the frigid weather conditions. As the summer strikes, the residents unwind the choli and distribute the fires of the choli to pilgrims as maha prasadam. Badrinath’s winter deity or the Joshimath is yet again a fabulous place for divine recluse.