Badrinath Temple - Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand

Badrinath is one the four sacred shrines (Dham) of pilgrimage for Hindus. The other three places are Dwarka in the West, Rameshwaram in South and Puri in the East. The holy temple of Badrinath, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is siuated on the right bank of Vishnuganga in the middle of two mountain ranges called Nar and Narayan, rising east and west respectively. The place was known as Badrivan during Puranic times because it was found carpeted by wild Berries or 'Badri' and thus Badrivan.

Sri Badrinath Temple

The Badrinath temple was constructed and renovated by Shankaracharya some time in 8th century during his pilgrimage to Badrinath and Kedamath after he had established 'Jyotirdham' in Joshimath. There is a 'Tapt Kund' with hot water which has to be mixed with cold water before taking bath. Narada Kund, Surya Kund, Basudhara, Mata Murti and Charan Paduka are the other holy places of attraction for the large numDer of pilgrims who visit Badrinath every year. About 8 kms from Badrinath in the west, there is a group of snow peak called Choukhamba with height up to 6700 m. There is another peak called Neelkantha about 9 km. south west of Badrinath.

The temple of Badrinath is visited by about six lakh pilgrims every year. There is a plan to make a village complex for the pilgrims at an estimated cost of rupees one crore. Presently hotel Devlok has been constructed at Badrinath to provide board and lodging facilities to pilgrims.

Panch Badri

Lord Badrinath ji is worshipped at five different places under five different names. These are as follows:

Badri Vishal : Main shrine of Lord Badrinath ji is known as 'Badrinath' .

Bhavishya Badri : (2744 m). The place in 19 km away from 10shimath which is suppose to be an alternative seat of Lord Badrinath ji if for some u~own reason 'Badrinath' shrine disappears. An image. of god 'Narsing' is kept here which is worshipped by the devotees coming from TapovanDhauliganga side Pilgrims have to trek for 6 km to reach the shrine.

Yogdhyan Badri : (1920 m). 23 km short of Badrinath shrine located at Pandukeshwar. It is here that king Pandu is believed to have meditated after their victory over 'Kaurvas' and before leaving for his heavenly abode.

Vridha Badri : (1380 m). This is the first holy place of Lord Badrinath ji located at Animath. Animath is 8 km short of 10shimath approachable by motorable road. Before Badrinath was designated one of the four 'Dhams' of Hindus by Adi-Shankaracharaya, the idol of Badrinath ji was woshipped here. Vridha Badri remains open throughout the year.

Adi-Badri : Adi-Badri is 19 km away trom Karanprayag on ChaukuthiaRanikhet road where a group of 16 temples dating back to Gupta age are in existance. These temples were made with the idol of lord Vishnu to spread Hinduism to every remote comer in the country by Adi-Shankaracharya.

Click here for Badrinath Temple Photo Gallery

Yamunotri | Gangotri | Kedarnath | Badrinath