Badrinath, renowned for the sacred Badrinath Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the four Char Dhams and part of the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, it sits in the chardham yatra Garhwal hill tracks near the Alaknanda River, nestled between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, with the majestic Neelkanth mountain as its backdrop.

Perched at an elevation of 10,279 feet, the Badrinath Temple is believed to have been established by the saint Adi Shankaracharya. The temple houses a one-meter tall black stone idol of Lord Vishnu, one of the eight swayam vyakta kshetras or self-manifested statues of Vishnu. It is also one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu in India.

The Badrinath Temple remains closed from November to April. It closes for worship on Bhatridwityia in October, during which an Akhanda chardham tour package Jyoti lamp is lit to last for six months, and the image of Badrinath is moved to the Narasimha temple at Jyotirmath. The temple reopens on Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious day in April.

Badrinath Temple features a Tapt Kund, a hot sulfur spring believed to have medicinal properties. The Alaknanda River originates from here. Festivals like Mata Murti Ka Mela and the Badri Kedar Festival provide additional reasons to visit the temple.

Must Know Before You Travel to Badrinath

• Accessibility: Badrinath is accessible by road, making it easy to drive up to this pilgrimage spot.
• Temple Schedule: The temple char dham yatra opens at 4:30 AM with the Mahaabhishek, opens to the public at 6:30 AM, and closes at 9:00 PM. It is closed from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The best time for a visit is during the morning pooja at 6:30 AM.
• Pooja Rates:
  • Maha Abhishek (4:30 AM – 6:30 AM): INR 4300
  • Abhishek Puja (4:30 AM – 6:30 AM): INR 4101
  • Ved Path (6:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM): INR 2100
  • Geeta Path (6:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM): INR 2500
  • Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah Path: INR 35101
  • Entire Pujas of a Day: INR 11700
  • Swarna Aarti (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM): INR 376
  • Vishnusahasranam Path: INR 456
  • Kapoor Aarti: INR 151
  • Shayan Aarti: INR 3100
  • Akhand Jyoti Annual: INR 4951
  • Ghee for Deepak on Closing Day: INR 3511
  • Akhand Jyoti One Day: INR 1451
  • Bhagwan Nar-Narayan Janmotsava (Shrawan Month): INR 4951
  • Shrawani Abhishek (Shrawan Month): INR 11701
  • Shri Krishna Janmastami Utsav: INR 10551

Legend of Badrinath

The history of the Badrinath Temple is somewhat ambiguous. Some believe it was a Buddhist shrine until the 8th century when Adi Shankara char dham yatra 2025 converted it into a Hindu temple. Another belief is that Adi Shankara established it in the 9th century, discovering an image of Lord Badrinath in the Alaknanda River and enshrining it near Tapt Kund. In the 16th century, the King of Garhwal moved the idol to the present temple. The temple was later expanded by the Garhwal kings and rebuilt by the King of Jaipur after being destroyed in an earthquake in 1803.

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu performed penance at this site. During his deep meditation, unaware of the harsh weather, his consort, Goddess Lakshmi, turned into a Badri tree to protect him. Pleased by her efforts, Vishnu named the place Badrikashram.

FAQs on Badrinath

• Nearby Places: Auli (24 km), Valley of Flowers (10 km), Nainital (151 km), Madhyamaheshwar (29 km), Rishikesh (138 km).
• Things to Do: Visit Badrinath Temple, Charanpaduka, Vasudhara Falls, Neelkanth, Tapt Kund, and Bheem Pul.
• Package Costs: Packages start at INR 10334 and can be customized based on preferences.
• Best Way to Reach: Accessible by road with buses and taxis available from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and other nearby towns. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (317 km), and the nearest railway stations are in Rishikesh and Kotdwar (297 km and 327 km, respectively). Helicopter services are available from Dehradun.
• Local Food: The cuisine in Badrinath is typical Indian food with popular Chinese items. Due to the town’s religious significance, non-vegetarian food and alcohol are prohibited.
• Best Time to Visit: May to June and mid-September to October, when the weather is pleasant. July and August should be avoided due to monsoons and landslides. The temple is closed from November to April due to heavy snowfall.
• Who Should Visit: Ideal for those seeking a religious tour.
• Challenges: Heavy snowfall in winter and landslides during the monsoon can make Badrinath inaccessible. It is also crowded with pilgrims in May, June, September, and October.
• Highlights: Badrinath is known for its stunning scenic beauty, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and rivers like the Alaknanda and Rishi Ganga. It is one of the four Dhams and famous for the Badrinath Temple, and is located close to Auli, one of India’s best skiing destinations.