Badrinath is one of the most significant and holiest of the four main shrines in India's char dham pilgrimage. The place is considered to be the seat of Lord Vishnu. The town is located at an altitude of 3,133 m. above sea level and situated on the left bank of the river Alaknanda, exactly between the two mountains Nara and Narayan. Badrinath is an universal attraction with some scintillating beauty and rare recreational spots in vicinity. All this has made Badrinath one of the most wannabe destinations and faithful Hindus visit this holy place for perfection of spiritual realization.

See & Do

Badrinath Temple - The famous Badrinath temple lies on the right bank of river Alaknanda and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The present structure is 15 mtrs high and has a gilded cupola. The rawal or chief priest of the temple is a Namboodripad Brahmin from Kerala. The temple is divided into three parts - the garbha griha or sanctum sanctorum, the darshan mandap where the rituals are conducted and the sabha mandap where devotees assemble. The complex is enriched with 15 idols.

Hot Water Springs
Tapt Kund- Tapt Kund is a natural spring believed to possess curative properties. It is believed to be the abode of Agni (the Hindu God of fire). The temperature of the water is around 45°C. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the Tapt Kund before entering the Badrinath temple.

Surya Kund & Narad Kund - Located on the banks of the river Alaknanda, these are the hot water springs where devotees take a cleansing dip before entering the premises of the temple.

Neelkanth- Popularly known as the 'Garhwal Queen', Neelkanth is a pyramidical shaped snowy peak located above Badrinath.

Hemkund Sahib - The Hemkund Sahib is an important pilgrimage centre of the Sikhs and Hindus. The shrine of the tenth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh is also present here. Near to it the Lakshman temple is also placed.

Panch Badris - Besides the main temple of Badrinath there are other four badri temples-

Vishal Badri: The main Shri Badri Narayan Temple, considered very sacred.

Yogathyan Badri: Located at a distance of 24 km from Badri Nath and 20 km from Joshimath, this is the place where Maharaj Pandu (father of the Pandava princes) prayed to Pandukeshwar.

Bhavishya Badri: This is 17 km from Joshimath and is a small village.

Preetha Badri: It is 17 km from Joshimath at a place called Animath. Adi Shankar is believed to have worshipped Lord Badrinath here.

Adi Badri: This is located at a distance of 16 km from Karnaprayag. Several temples constructed during the Gupt Dynasty are here, of which Mana Narayanan temple is considered to be the most popular one.

Village Manam - Vyas Guha. Vyas Maharishi, considered, by some as the reincarnation of Vishnu, composed the Mahabharata in the caves in this village. Hence the caves are named after him as Vyas Caves.

Trekker's Paradise

The triangular trek through Badrinath, the Valley of Flowers, and Hemkund Sahib gives its trekkers some of the best trekking tours on Badrinath Trekking in India, an awesome adventure in itself. The sight of beautiful and rare flowers, snow-covered mountains and the visit to the sacred shrines of Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath make this trek an unforgettable experience.

Go Shopping

Badrinath is a worship land and thus does not possess rich tradition of arts and crafts. But the coming of a large number of tourist has made it grow as a shopping spot. One can check out the local artefacts. One can also buy a large variety of articles used for worshipping, antiques and knick-knacks.

Dinning Options

There is a group of good restaurants at the main intersection in town, near the bridge to cross the river to the temple. A wide menu of vegetarian food is available in the restaurants.

Restaurants

• Vijaya - Laxmi Restaurant
• Saket Restaurant
• Urvashi Restaurant
• Several other restaurants, Liquor and non-vegetarian food are prohibited.
• Quality Restaurant

Accommodation

Andhra Bhawan Jhun Jhunwala Cottege Modi Bhavan II Mittal Cottege Shankaracharya Sadan Gujrat Bhavan

Kali Kamli Dharamshala Punjab Sindh Dharamshala Maharastra Bhawan Forest Rest House DGBR Rest House Hotel Devlok

Climate's Twist

Badrinath has a pleasant climate. Average maximum temperature is 17.9 degree C and the minimum temperature is 5.6 degree C.
Summer : May - August - Cool during the day and cold at night.
Winter : September - November - Cool during the day and chilly at night.