Badrinath

Cradled by the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, Badrinath is perched on the Garhwal Hill Tracks in Uttarakhand. Visited by large number of pilgrims every year, Badrinath is famed for its Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is this sacred vibe to this place that takes you on a tranquil voyage of self discovery. According to legend, the word ‘badri’ is derived from the wild berry that Lord Vishnu (God of the Hindu trinity, entrusted with preserving the Universe) survived on during his reparation at Badri Van.

Places to visit

Badrinath Temple
Dediacted to Lord Vishnu, the sacred Badrinath Temple is one of the four Char Dham and Chota Char Dham Pligrimage Yatras. Surrounded by lofty snow-clad Himalayas, this temple is a paradise for all nature lovers. An interesting feature of the temple is its main gate that has been painted with myriad colours. The black stone idol of Lord Vishnu is 1m tall, and is considered to be one of the 8 self-manifested statues of Vishnu.

Charanpaduka
As the word suggests, Charanpaduka is the imprints of Lord Vishnu’s footprints. It is a rock structure, nested atop 3380 ft, and can be reached after an arduous trek. It is believed that Lord Vishnu set his first foot on Earth here.

Vasudhara Falls
The Vasudhara Falls is located 4km of Badrinath at Mana. At a height of 400 ft, it is believed to have been the resting place of the Pandavas (mythological characters from the epic Mahabharata). An interesting belief here is that the water here turns away from visitors impure in thoughts and heart.

Neelkanth
Neelkanth is a major peak in the Garhwal division of the Himalayas. As one of the most religiously revered peaks of the region, Neelkanth overlooks the beautiful valley of the Alaknanda River. Perched in the midst of a medley of glaciers, the snow covered peaks rises dramatically against the background of the crisp blue sky. It also forms an important part of the route to Badrinath and hence has a great footfall every year.

Tapt Kund
Believed to be the home of Lord Agni, Tapt Kund is a natural hot water spring above the Alaknanda river bank, where visitors take therapeutic baths. The water of the kund is believed to have medicinal properties.

Bheem Pul
This is a natural stone bridge on River Saraswati that is believed to be discovered by Bheem, one of the Pandav brothers. Some say the bridge was created by a stone Bheem threw between the mountains to create a path to cross the river. The view of the fierce river gushing makes for a pleasant visit.

Narad Kund
Another pious attraction here is the Narad Kund, which is a holy site on the recess of river Alaknanda. Devotees visit Narad Kund to take a dip into the holy water before visiting the temples.  The beautiful surroundings and the mythological significance of Narad Kund attracts a huge number of tourists all round the year.

Mata Murti Temple
Dedicated to the mother of twin brothers, Lord Badrinath and Nara, Mata Murti Temple is a sacred place for the Hindus. A fair is held every year in September at the temple in the honour of the Goddess.

Mana Village
This tourism village is famed for its scenic beauty surrounded by the breathtaking Himalayan Mountain Ranges. The village is located on the banks of River Saraswati at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level.

Pandukeshwar
Another sacred site here is Pandukeshwar, located at an elevation of 6000 feet. It is believed that this is where the father of the Pandavas worshipped Lord Shiva. The exciting natural beauty of the location draws nature lovers from far and wide.

Best time to visit
The best time to visit this holy town is from May to June and again from Mid-September to October when the weather is pleasant. Winter breaks from November to April, bringing chilly weather touching 5 degrees Celsius. The temple remains closed during these months due to heavy snowfall.

How to Reach
By Air - Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest domestic airport, located 317 km away from the main Badrinath town.
By Train - Those travelling by train can land at the Dehradun Junction.
By Road - Road connectivity is also possible from nearby cities.