Travel to India

Destination Tours

     The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda river, dates back to the vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3133 mts., the present temple. Badrinath is one of the most arduous one due to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most scenically beautiful place on the earth.Throughout the route to Badrinath there are numerous pilgrimage sites at Deva Prayag, Rudraprayag, Karana Prayag, Nanda Prayag, Vishnuprayag as well as Pandukeswar where the Pandavas are believed to have been born, and the site where Bhima and Hanuman (sons of Vayu) met. Lord MahaVishnu is believed to have done his penance in this place. Seeing the Lord doing his penance in the open, Goddess Mahalaxmi is believed to have assumed the form of Badri tree to provide him shelter to face the onslaught of the weather conditions, therefore the name Badri Narayan. It is believed that Lord Vishnu revealed to Narad Rishi that Nar & Naryan forms were his own. It is also believed that Narad Rishi, who also did his penance here, is even now is worshipping the supreme God in the form of Nar and Narayan with Ashtakshara mantras.The image of Badrinarayan here is fashioned out of Saligramam. Badrrinarayan is seen under the badri tree, flanked by Kuber and Garuda, Narad, Narayan and Nar. Mahalakshmi has a sanctum in the prakaram. There is also a shrine to Adi Sankara The image of Lord Badrinarayan here is fashioned out of Saligrama. Shri Badrinarayan is seen under the badari tree, flanked by Kuber and Garuda, Narad, Narayan and Nar. Mahalakshmi has a sanctum in the prakaram. There is also a shrine of Adi Sankara at Badrinath. . Behind the temple of Lord Badrinarayan is the Lakshmi Narasimha mandir, with shrines to Desikacharya and Ramanujachary.At Badrinath one can witness one of the greatest wonders of Nature in the Hot water springs of Taptakund on the banks of river Alaknanda. The temperature of the water in this Kund is 55 degree centigrade whereas the normal temperature in this region for most part of the year at 9-10 degree centigrade to sub-zero levels. Before visiting the temple the pilgrims take a holy bath in the Taptakund.

Badrinath Dhaam is considered as one of the most sacred centres of pilgrimage situated in the lofty Himalayan heights in the Tehri-Garhwal hill tracks (Uttarakhand) at the height of 10,248 feet above sea level.

Geographical Information:
  
Area 2.5 sq. km.
Altitude 3133 Mts. above sea level
Ideal time to visit May-mid-November
Clothing Woolens to Heavy woolens
Local Transport Taxis/Dandies/Ponies
Population 978
Clothing (Summer) : Woollens
(Winter) :Heavy Woolens.
Festivals Mata Murti ka Mela (Sept.); Krishna Janmashtami; (Jul/Aug), Badri-Kedar Utsav

Language Hindi, Garhwali
STD Code 01381
Bank : State Bank of India, Badrinath
Post Offices : Sub-Post Office, Badrinath, Ph : (01381)2201
Hospitals :State Allopathic Dispensary; Ph : (01381)2217

Distances from Major Cities:

Rishikesh : 297 kms
Joshimath : 42 kms
Haridwar : 321 kms
Karnaprayag :123 kms
Rudraprayag : 155 kms
Deoprayag : 225 kms
Dehradun : 343 kms

Nearest airport - Jolly Grant Air Strip ,is located at Dehradun, which is 315 kms away. The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, which is at a distance of 292 kms.

Ideal time for visiting the shrine will be between May to November. One should, without fail, carry Sweaters, woolen clothing, Umbrella and required medicines during the trip. Minimum luggage should be preferred. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited in this place. Reasonable accommodation, at cottages managed by Temple committee is available at Badri. Postal and Banking facilities are available. A State Allopathic Dispensary is also available.

The shrine closes in early November and most people come down to Joshimath. Road access is usually prohibited till May the next year.

Where To Stay

Chand Cottage, Modi Bhavan and Gujarat Bhavan, PWD Inspection House, Hotel Devlok, Travellers Lodge, Kale Kambli Wale's Ashram behind the temple, are the available means of accommodation.

Restaurants :

Local eateries/dhabas which offer vegetarian food. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are prohibited.