Badrinath Dham
Badrinath Dham, located at an altitude of 3,133m above sea level, is one of the most sought after pilgrimage destinations in India. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu resides in Badrinath and his consort Goddess Lakshmi lives in the nearby town of Alaknanda; this makes Badrinath one of the most revered pilgrimages across the globe. Every year, lakhs of devotees from all across the country visit Badrinath and participate in annual yatra or pilgrimage to seek God’s blessings and to give tribute to him for granting peace, happiness and prosperity to all his devotees.
About Badrinath Dham
Badrinath Dham is a holy shrine situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. According to Hindu mythology, Badrinath Dham is one of Lord Vishnu’s most ancient temples. It is believed that Badri Nath’s idol was first worshipped by Lord Vishnu Himself. Apart from being known as one of Hinduism’s four main dhams (pilgrimage sites), it is also called Adi Badri. This makes it older than even Rameshwaram and Dwarkamayi which are known as Tretayug (second incarnation) shrines where Lord Vishnu appeared in His third incarnation during Satya Yug (third era). Even though most Hindus can name all four dhams – Badrinath, Puri, Dwarkamayi and Rameshwaram – only Badrinath can claim to be not just an old but also an extremely important place of pilgrimage. The other three are regarded more popular pilgrimage spots while Badrinath is revered as a pious spot even among non-Hindus.
History of Badrinath Dham & Mythology
The name of the Badrinath tirtha originates from the local word badri which is a type of a ber (बेर) . It is said that when Lord Vishnu sat in penance in these mountains, His consort Goddess Laxmi took the form of a ber tree (jujube) and shaded Him from the harsh sun. It is not only the dwelling place of the Lord Himself but also home to countless pilgrims, saints and sages, who meditate here in search of enlightenment.
According to Skand Puran the idol of Lord Badrinath was recovered by Adi Guru Shankaracharya from Narad Kund and was re-enshrined in the 8th century A.D. in this temple.
Skanda Purana describes more about the place: “There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell but there is no shrine like Badrinath.”
According to mythics, Badrinath oftenly called as Badri Vishal, was re-established by Adi Shri Shankaracharaya to revieve the lost prestige of Hinduism and to unite nation in one bond. Badrinath is one land richly infused with sacred accounts from numerous ancient Hindu scriptures. Be it the puranic story of the Pandav brothers, along with Draupadi, going past on their last pilgrimage by ascending the slopes of a peak near Badrinath called Swargarohini or the ‘Ascent to Heaven’ or the visit by Lord Krishna and other great sages, these are just some of the many tales which we associate with this holy tirtha.
When To Visit Badrinath Dham
Best time to visit Badrinath is from May to June and September to November, when it gets its fair share of both rainfall and sunshine. Also, beware of rain during monsoon season in July and August.
How to get there
Badrinath, located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is at a distance of 365 km from Rishikesh. The best way to reach Badrinath is by road via Joshimath and Nandprayag (115 km). You can also reach Badrinath via Uttarkashi and Hemkund Sahib or you can come by air via Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
If you are coming by rail, then Haridwar is your closest stop. From Haridwar, either go via Tehri (210 km) or Rudraprayag (250 km). Roads are good in summer months but during winters roads get blocked due to heavy snowfall which closes down Badrinath for around 6 months per year. It will be wise to plan your Badrinath yatra.
Best places to eat in Badrinath Dham
Badrinath is considered one of India’s most holy pilgrimages, and all good travelers know that a pilgrimage isn’t complete without trying some great food. Here are our three suggestions for Badrinath restaurants
- Urvashi Restaurant
- Sardeshwari Restaurant
- Hotel Charan Paduka
Things to do in Badrinath Dham
While there are many temples that you can visit in Badrinath, it is considered incomplete without visiting these main attractions.
The main attractions of Badrinath Temple include: Tapt Kund, Narad Kund, Triveni Ghat.
Mana Village which is around 5 km from Badrinath.
Sri Ganesh Guha which is around 100 m from Mana Village
The Cave of Veda Vyasa which is around 200 m from Mana Village
Bheem Pul which is around 300 m from Mana Village
Saraswati River or Temple which is around 2 Km from Mana Village
Vasudhara Falls which is around 5 m from Mana Village
Saraswati River is a tributary of Alaknanda River flowing in Uttarakhand State, India. It joins Alaknanda River at Keshav Prayag, near Mana village, Badrinath.
BADRINATH FAQ’s
Have any questions related to visit Badrinath Temple? Get clear your every doubts about Badrinath Yatra and trek from these Frequently Asked Questions. Badrinath FAQs are prepared to answer all major queries from a pilgrims point of view.
What should I wear in Badrinath?
Temperatures in badrinath fall below zero at night and though daytime temperature is comfortable, you must carry some hoodies & warm clothes such as sweaters and jackets.
Are there reserved seats on special train or bus for Badrinath yatra?
There are no reserved seats in any of these buses or trains
What are discounts for senior citizens and women on Badrinath yatra?
No special discount is available for senior citizens or women pilgrims on badrinath yatra .
What is best time for Badrinath yatra?
The best time to visit Badrinath is from May-June and September-November when weather conditions are pleasant throughout Uttarakhand.
Should I carry cash while going for badrinath yatra?
Most of your expenses during your journey will be charged directly from your debit card/credit card, so you don’t need to carry much cash. However, you must have some small change in cash when you visit shrines and temples because they do not accept credit cards.
What are packages or fares for Badrinath yatra?
Train tickets for badrinath can be booked online and buses do not have any fixed package rates. You need to book them depending on your budget and travel date.
Is there an entry fee in Badrinath shrines?
you don’t need to pay any entry fees in Badrinath temple .
Can I travel from Delhi to Badrinath by road?
Yes, you can drive up to Joshimath, which is very close to badrinath Dham.