Badrinath

Badrinath is one of the ‘four dhams’ of the country and is situated at an elevation of 3,133 mts. above sea-level. Is is flanked by two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan, with the towering Neelkanth peak providing a splendid backdrop. This reversed spot ws once carpeted with wild berries which gave it the name ‘Badri Van’,meaning ‘forest of berries’.

Facing the temple at the bank of Alaknanda river is a hot water spring known as ‘Tapt Kund’. A bath in this spring is very refreshing. a separate tank is available for women. the temple opens every year in the month of April-May and closes during the winter around the third week of November. It is believed that worshipping at this shrine is a means of liberating the soul from the bound of transmigration.

The original temple that was here is said to have been of very great antiquity and that it was destroyed by avalanches or by the Buddhists, other temple build from time to time also being destroyed by avalanches. The present temple was build about 400 years ago bye the king of Garhwal. The principal idol in the temple, which is of black stone or marble and is about a metre in height,is that of Vishnu seated in the meditative pose, flanked by the idols of Nar and Narayan on the right nad of Kubera and Narada on the left. The other important idols are those of Uddhava and Garuda (Vishnu’s vehicle). In the courtyard of the temple, to the right , stands a small shrine dedicated to Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort, and the idols of Ghantakaran ( the kshetrapal on guard) , Hanuman and ganesa stand in the wings.

Cradled in the mountain ranges of the Nar-Narayan, with the spendid Neelkanth peak as the enchanting backdrop, is located the holiest of all the Hindu pilgrimages, Badrinath. Along the left bank of river Alaknanda, the place is called badrinath as it was once carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries.

Excursion
Bhavishya Badri
The temple of Bhavishya Badri is at an altitude of 2744 metres and is surrounded by dense forests. It is commonly believed that in the course of centuries, the road from Joshimath to Badrinath will be blocked. This will happen because the two hills flanking Badrinath will become joined. Then will the temples at Bhavishya Badri, one of the Panch Badri's, be worshipped. The other four are Vishal Badri (Badrinath), Yoga Badri (Pandukeshwar), Adi Badri and Vridha Badri (at Animath, near Joshimath).

Adi Badri
Situatedat an altitude of 3,200 feet, Adi Badri has ancient temples. It is 17 km from Karnaprayag on the Karnaprag-Ganai-Ranikhet route. Accommodation is available at a PWD Inspection Bungalow.

Hemkund Saheb
The high altitude Lokpal lake, known as Hemkund ( 4329 mts.) lies in heavenly environs. A steep trek from Ghangharia leads one to this spot in about four to six hours.

Satopanth Lake
This triangular lake of serene water has a perimeter of about half a kilometer. It is about 25 Kms. from Badrinath. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, the Hindu trinity are believed to occupy one corner each, and which are named after them. The trek is hazardous, but full of dramatic scenery. There is no place to rest between, except caves. Cooked food, stove etc. have to be carried from Badrinath itself.

Badri Kedar Festival
The Badri-Kedar festival, held at the sacred shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath is held in the month of June.

Mata Murti Mela
On the day of Mata Murti Ka Mela, the mother of Shri Badrinathji is worshipped, and a large fair held at the Badrinath Temple in the month of September. About 3 km from Badrinath, on the right bank of the Alaknanda stands this temple, dedicated to the mother of Shri Badrinathji.

Mana Village
4 km. Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet on this route.

Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasundhara Falls
3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu mythology and form part of the pilgrimage of Badrinath.

Tapt Kund And Surya Kund
The famous hot springs just below the temple. The sulphurous waters have a temperature of 550C. A dip, considered holy and refreshing to the body as well as the soul, is a must before offering prayers to Shri Badrinath ji.

Neelkanth
A majestic peak of the Himalayas, towering to 6600 mtrs, presents the most dramatic sight of Badrinath.

Govindghat, Ghangaria
24 km. Here the Alaknanda and Laxman ganga meet. Provides access to the famous Valley of Flowers National Park (19 km) and Hemkund Sahib (20 km).

Vasuki Tal
This is high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that ascends to 14,200 feet.

Deoprayag
70 km from Rishikesh. The confluence of Rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi this is an important pilgrim spot with its famous Shiv and Raghunath temples.

Shrinagar
105 km from Rishikesh. An important cultural and educational centre, this old capital of Garhwal was once completely destroyed in the Gohna Lake dam-burst. Places to visit here are the Kamleshwar and Kalpaveshwar Temples and the Shankar Math.

Rudra Prayag
137 km from Rishikesh. The confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini. The temples that dot this region are those of Rudranath and Chamunda Devi. A road branches from here to Kedarnath.

Karna Prayag
169 km from Rishikesh. The confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers, where there are temples dedicated to Uma and Karn.

Nand Pyarag
169 km from Rishikesh. The confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers, where there are temples dedicated to Uma and Karn.

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Festivals
Mata Murti Mela, Janmashtami, Badri Kedar Festival.

Getting There
By Air
Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.

By Rail
Nearest railheads are at Rishikesh and Kotdwara.

By Road
Badrinath is connected by good motorable roads with Rishikesh, Dehradun, Kotdwara and other hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon region.

Best time to visit
May To October.

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