Badrinath Dham Travel Guide
Badrinath is one of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites among the 108 divya desams incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath town is also the part of Panch Badri temples including Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri and Vriddha Badri, along with Badrinath Dham.
The temple is located in Silent valley of Garhwal Himalayas on the seashore of flowing water of Alaknanda river. Everyone heared about the marvellous or stunning beauty of Badrinath town, with pleasant weather, dense forest, snow clad Mountains, holy river with surrounding green valley which attracts tourists from india as well as from abroad.
There are many festival like Kedar-Badri Utsav, Janam-ashtami, Mata Mruti Ka Mela are celebrated. Along with Badrinath temple, there are many place of sightseeing namely Panch Prayag temple, Badhri Naryanan Temple, Vasudhara Falls, Hot Geyser (tapt kunds or hot water springs), Bheem Pul, Mana Village etc.
Badrinath Temple Opening Date and Closing Date 2024
Badrinath Kapat Opening Date 2024: This year Badrinath Temple opened for darshan on 12 May 2024 at 6 am in the morning. Last year, the kapat of Shri Badrinath Temple were opened on 27 Apr 2023 at 7:10 am in the morning. An estimated 20,000 pilgrims visited Badrinath dham on the opening day.
You can book your Badrinath Dham Yatra with us, visit our Char Dham Packages
Badrinath Closing Date 2024: The portals of Shri Badrinath Temple will be closed on 06 Nov 2024. With the closing of Badrinath Temple, the Char Dham Yatra 2024 will conclude.
Badrinath is one of the most popular and visited religious towns of the Hindus located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in India. The town of Badrinath lies between Nar and Naryana mountain ranges and in the shadow of the mighty Neelkantha peak. The several turquoise lakes, towering peaks, sacred ponds and water bodies make Badrinath a must visit place.
Photo:
Sirsendu Gayen | Snow fall at Badrinath - Devotees are waiting for their turn to enter in the Badrinath temple.
Day to Day Travel Itinerary to Badrinath Dham
If you are an individual and want to travel to Badrinath alone, then it isn’t a huge task to achieve. Badrinath is situated at the roadside and the only thing you need to know is how to reach that location. Below is the day to a day travel guide to Badrinath Dham for solo travelers.
Day 0: Reach to Rishikesh / Haridwar or Dehradun
Badrinath is situated in Uttarakhand so firstly you have to reach this state of India. The Nearest railway station to Badrinath is Rishikesh railway station. However, you can book your train to Haridwar too as train availability is higher there. If you are coming from the south, east or west portion of the country then there is a high chance that you are coming from the flight to Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun. Rishikesh has situated just about 20 km from Dehradun.
Note: Try to reach these cities in the sharp morning so that you can start your journey to Badrinath temple in the morning.
Day 1: Rishikesh to Badrinath / Joshimath. 295 km | 10 Hrs
There are lots of buses and sharable cabs you can find at Rishikesh Bus Stand going towards Badrinath. But it is very hard to get them because of the extremely high numbers of pilgrimages traveling to the same destination. The best way to reach Badrinath is by changing buses or sharable cabs.
You can break your journey to avoid the wait for the direct vehicle to Badrinath. You can take bus/sharable Tata Sumo / Maxx to Rudraprayag and then Rudraprayag to Joshimath. You can stay at Joshimath which has plenty of accommodation, food & market facilities. However, if you have plenty of time then you can get to Badrinath town directly which is just 45km (2hrs) route from Joshimath.
You can follow this route buses or sharable Jeeps to reach Badrinath
Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Chamoli – Joshimath – Badrinath
eUttaranchal travel tip 1: Because of ongoing Char Dham highway project, you can face a delay in reaching Badrinath. In this case you can break your journey for two days. You can stay on all the above-mentioned towns of the route.
Day 2: Visit Badrinath Temple & Nearby locations
Wake up early in the morning, attend the temple aarti & pay your obeisance at Badrinath temple. It can take 2-3 hours for Darshan because of the long queue. After that, you can visit nearby locations like Vasudhara falls or Mana village which is also the last Indian village at Indo – China border. You can also visit nearby tourist destinations of Uttarakhand like Auli & Valley of flowers to utilize your time.
Day 3: Badrinath to Rishikesh / Haridwar
Bid adieu to this beautiful spiritual town of Uttarakhand situated on the bank of calm Alaknanda River. Take sharable jeeps to Joshimath for more transport options.
Badrinath Temple - Mystic Tales and Legends
According to legend, the temple was originally established by Adi Shankaracharya which was renovated several times after its establishment. Badrinath is also one of the Panch Badri. The other four badris are Yogadhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Bridha Badri or the 'Old Badri' and Adi Badri.
The Badrinath area is known as Badari or Badarikaashram in Hindu scriptures. It is a place sacred to Vishnu, particularly in Vishnu's dual form of Nara-Narayana. Thus, in the Mahabharata, Krishna, addressing Arjuna, says, "Thou wast Nara in a former body, and, with Narayana for thy companion, didst perform dreadful austerity at Badari for many myriads of years."
Photo: Lakshmanrawat. River Alaknanda flowing through the Badrinath valley.
One legend has it that when goddess Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of her descent. Therefore the mighty Ganga (Ganges) was split into twelve holy channels, with Alaknanda being one of them.
The mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas are said to have ended their life by ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the 'Ascent to Heaven'. Local legend has it that the Pandavas passed through Badrinath and the town of Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath, on their way to Swarga (heaven). There is also a cave in Mana where the great sage Ved Vyasa is believed to have written the epic Mahabharata.
Badrinath Travel News
12 Sep 2024
First snowfall of the season in Kedarnath, Badrinath. After snowfall, the cold has started increasing in Badrinath Dham
07 Aug 2024
Nar-Narayan Jayanti in Badrinath on 9 and 10 Aug
This year, Lord Nar-Narayan birth anniversary will be celebrated in Badrinath Dham from Shravan Shukla Panchami Friday, 09 August. The two-day program will conclude on 10 August 2024.
On the first day after Bal Bhog in Badrinath temple, the idol doli of Lord Nar-Narayan will depart to Mata Murti Mandir. After Abhishek Puja, the idol doli will return to Badrinath Dham. On 10 August, the idols of Lord Nar-Narayan will reach Badrivishal birthplace Leela Dhungi. Where Dharmadhikari Radhakrishna Thapliyal, Vedpathi Ravindra Bhatt and priest Sushil Dimri will complete the Abhishek of Lord Nar-Narayan.
06 Jul 2024
Amarnath Namboodiri to be new Rawal of Badrinath Temple
Amarnath Namboodiri will takeover as the new Rawal of Badrinath Temple on 14 July 2024. The resignation of outgoing rawal Ishwar Prasad Namboodiri has been accepted.
05 Jul 2024
Landslides block highways to Adi Kailash, Badrinath & Yamunotri
Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand has triggered landslides, leading to road blockages and significant disruptions. Villages have been cut off, highways blocked, and the pilgrimage to Adi Kailash has been suspended. One casualty has been reported in Chamoli district. Authorities are actively working to clear the blocked roads and manage the aftermath of these natural disasters.
02 Jul 2024
Tunnel to be constructed at Pagal Nala on Badrinath Highway
Centre has approved the construction of a tunnel at Pagal Nala stretch on Badrinath Highway which is a frequent landslide zone since 1999.
Staying in Badrinath
Badrinath has ample accommodations to stay, from the frugal dharamshalas to affordable guesthouses to 3-star hotels, it is easy to find a place to stay in Badrinath, if you are travelling in off-season.
As thousands of devotees ascent to the revered Badrinath shrine during the peak season, even finding a bed could be a task, let alone a room to stay. It is advisable to book an accommodation at Joshimath which is 45 kms from Badrinath. You can make a day trip to Badrinath and return to Joshimath by evening.
Badrinath Food Guide
At an elevation of 3,300 meters, not many restaurants could be found and only a handful of seasonal local eating joints and stalls tend to serve the pilgrims and tourists. The food served here is North Indian cuisine and popular Chinese delicacies with limited choices. Due to the religious significance of the place, non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly prohibited at Badrinath.
History of Badrinath
In the 9th century, the holy town of Badrinath was re-established as a prominent pilgrim site by Guru Adi Shankaracharya. In the early years, the pilgrims used to walk hundreds of miles to pay obeisance at the sacred Badrinath temple. During the time of First World War, the town of Badrinath had only 20 dwarf huts, where the temple staff lived.
Architecture of Badrinath Temple
The architecture of Badrinath temple bears a striking resemblance to the Buddhist Vihara (temple). The facade of the temple is built out of stone and has arched windows. On the walls and pillars of the mandapa, one can see the intricate carvings. To enter inside, one has to take the broad stairway that leads to the arched gateway, the main entrance of the temple.
This remarkable temple is 50 feet tall, having a small cupola on top covered with agold gilt roof. Inside the temple, one can see the calm and meditative posture of Lord Vishnu, flanked by Nar and Narayan. Around 15 idols have been are enshrined in the temple that are carved out of black stone.
Mythology about Badrinath
There are two mythological stories related to Badrinath, the first states that as per the Vamana Purana, the two sages named Nar and Narayana (the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu) performed their penance here and Bhakt Narada was able to attain salvation.
Whereas, the other legend tells that Lord Vishnu in his child avatar manifested near the Neelkanth Parvat in search of a place to meditate.Upon searching, he fell in love with the site near Alaknanda river. Lord Vishnu then incarnated as a child near the Rishi Ganga and Alaknanda rivers (now in the vicinity of Neelkanth Parvat) and started crying. When his cries reached the ears of Goddess Parvati, it melted her heart at once. She wanted to help the child so she took her consort, Lord Shiva to meet him. When Parvati asked the child, 'What do you want?' The child asked for the site that he liked for meditating. Parvati granted his wish and now the same place is revered as BadriVishal.
Badrinath Pilgrimage Travel Destination
The main attraction of Badrinath is the Badrinath temple also known as the Badrinarayan temple. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also one of the 108 Divya Desams or holy shrines of Vaishnavities. The present temple is conical in shape built two centuries ago by the Garhwal kings. 15 idols are present in the temple complex, each built-in black stone. Lord Vishnu is represented here in a meditative posture and is flanked by Nar and Narayan.
Some of the other attractions of Badrinath include the Tapt Kund a natural thermal spring on the banks of the Alakananda. You can also visit the Panch Prayag i.e. Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Vishnuprayag; from Badrinath. You can also visit the Mata Murthi temple which is dedicated to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. At a distance of 3km from Badrinath is the Mana village popularly known as the last village of India, inhabited by people of the Indo-Mongolian tribe.
Badrinath illustration by team eUttaranchal. Artist: Beenu
Best Time to Visit Badrinath
In the opening time of six months of Badrinath, pilgrims can travel in any season but if you want a hectic free journey then choose the months of end season of yatra. The best time to visit Badrinath is September and October. May and June season is also ok to visit Badrinath but because of huge number of pilgrims you can face high rates of hotels and long queues outside temple. During monsoon, there is much possibility of landslides and road block because of mountainous road and heavy rainfall. So our team will suggest you to visit Badrinath in the month of October or November.
Badrinath in Winters
The Temple of Badrinath Dham is closed during winters, you can check the closing and opening dates here. Winter seat of Badrinath is located in Joshimath. Know more about Winter Char Dham Yatra.
Kondaveeti Sandeep
24 Aug 2024
Q. Is Haridwar to Badrinath road is clear for travelling?
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Shivansh Bisht
16 Aug 2024
Q. What is the difference between Kedarnath and Badrinath?
A. Shri Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the eleventh of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India, while Shri Badarinath Temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu. Both of these sacred temples are located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, nestled at high altitudes in the Himalayas.
They both are believed to have been established by Aadi Guru Shankaracharya, making them significant spiritual destinations for devotees.
Devaru Dutta, 19 Aug 2024
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Aman
05 Aug 2024
Q. Which is temple is higher in altitude. Badrinath or Kedarnath?
A. The higher in altitude is of Kedarnath Temple which is located at an altitude of 3584 metres. Badrinath Temple is located in the valley, having an altitude of 3133 metres only.
Ankita Manral , 17 Aug 2024
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Badrinath Weather
Check out the Badrinath weather report for October
Badrinath Weather in October
The minimun and maximum temperature in October in Badrinath is 12°C and 17°C respectively. The weather is generally chances of snowfall in October and you would feel cold throughout the day. Heavy Woolen clothes are recommended for Badrinath in October.
What is Badrinath famous for?
Badrinath is famous among tourist as Badrinath Temple, Char Dham Yatra, Pilgrimage, Temple, Char Dham Temple.
Badrinath is recommended destination for Couples, Family and Kids, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.
Badrinath is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Char Dham Yatra, Monuments of National Importance, Panch Badri, Pilgrimage, Temples.
Suhasini Dubey
27 Sep 2024
Badrinath ji is definitely a place one should visit atleast once in his lifetime. It felt immense peace. Also the alaknanda river flowing near the temple adds upto the divinity of the place. If you are a avid trekker, you can also visit vashudhara fall.
Ravi Bhardwaj
11 Sep 2024
I visited Badrinath with my family, and it was a deeply spiritual experience. The temple has a unique charm, and the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. However, the cold can be quite intense, so be sure to pack warm clothes. The local food was delicious, especially the prasad at the temple. Overall, a very fulfilling pilgrimage.
Shweta Kuble
03 Sep 2024
We traveled to Badrinath from Guptkashi, and the journey took the entire day. By the time we reached Badrinath, it was around 8:00 PM. The ascent from Joshimath to Badrinath was quite challenging, as the roads had been damaged by heavy rains a few days earlier. Despite arriving in the evening, we were able to have darshan the same day. The winter season meant there wasn’t much of a crowd, but the temperature was freezing.Nearby, we visited important sites like Brahma Kapal and the Tapt Kund hot water spring. We also explored Mana Village, known as the last village of India, which has many significant places to see. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and with this visit, we completed the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand.
