Vridha Badri in Joshimath
Mythology of Vridha Badri
The legend of Vridha Badrri says that when the great sage Narad decided to perform a penance at this place to please Lord Vishnu. Delighted by the penance Lord Vishnu appeared before Narad disguised as an old man and answered his prayers. Thus, an idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of an old man was created by Vishwakarma, the architect of Gods and Goddesses.
The idol of Lord Vishnu stayed in Animath until it was flooded. It was found in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya who was spreading the tenets of Hinduism to every remote corner of India. He discovered the idol of Lord Badri in the form of Vridha Badri and reinstalled it in the temple premises. It is also believed that the original idol of Lord Vishnu made by Vishwakarma is now enshrined at the main Badrinath temple.
Best Time to Visit Vridha Badri
The Vridha Badri temple is open throughout the year. Although the Best Time to visit Vridha Badri is during the months from May to October. It is advisable to not to visit the temple during the monsoon season as the area is prone to landslides and floods. You may also experience massive snowfall in the winter season. You may select the months according to your suitability.
Sapt Badri near the Vridh Badri
The other Sapt Badri lie in a close proximity to the Vridha Badri. You can also travelto all the other Sapt Badri while you visit the Vridha Badri.
Adi Badri: The Adi Badri is located at a distance of 101km from Vridh Badri. It is the first temple amongst the Sapt Badri temples in India.
Bhavishya Badri: The Bhavishya Badri is located at a distance of 23km from the Vridha Badri. It is said that according to the legends Lord Badri will take abode in the Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kaliyug.
Yogadhyan Badri: Yogdhyan Badri is located at a distance of 23km from Vridha Badri. It is said that this was a place where the Pandavas were born and Pandu attained salvation and died here.
Dhyan Badri: The Dhyan Badri is located at a distance of 29km from Vridha Baddri. Here there is a black stone idol of Lord Vishnu which was established by Urvarishi. This idol of Lord Vishnu is four armed and is standing tall in a meditative posture.
Ardha Badri: The Ardha Badri in comparison with other Badri temples is the smallest and hence has the name meaning ‘little Badri.’
Narasingh Badri: The Narasimha Badri temple is located at a distance of 3km from Vridha Badri. Here the image of Lord Badri is 10 inches high and depicts the god sitting on a lotus temple.
Location & How to Reach Vridha Badri
By Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Reach at Joshimath. Then drive a seven kilometer distance till Animath village where the shrine is located. There are a number of transport facilities available from Joshimath till Animath Village and further on to Vridha Badri.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is the Rishikesh Railway Station. Reach at Joshimath from Rishikesh. Then drive a seven kilometer distance till Animath village where the shrine is located. There are a number of transport facilities available from Joshimath till Animath Village and further on to Vridha Badri.
By Road: The Vridha Badri Temple is well connected to Joshimath. You can book a bus from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi to various locations in Uttarakhand. Reach at Joshimath. Then further drive till the Virdha Badri shrine which located at a distance of seven kilometers in the Animath Village at Joshimath.
Read How to Reach guide for Joshimath.
What is Vridha Badri famous for?
Vridha Badri is popular place for following activities/ interests - Panch Badri, Religious, Temples.
