Badrinath is considered the holiest of the four main shrines of Uttarakhand. The town, situated on the left bank of the Alaknanda, is equidistant from the twin mountains of Nara and Narayan Parvats. Badrinath is on the itinerary of every devout Hindu. The place is also known as Badri Van after forest of Badri trees which grow here.

The present temple was built about two centuries ago by the kings of Garhwal. The principal idol in the temple is of black stone and represents Vishnu seated in a meditative pose, and flanked by Nara-Narayan. Badrinath is also known as Vishal Badri and is one of the Panch Badris.

The temple remains closed from October to April due to severe winter conditions. During this period the idols of Utsavo murti are taken to Pandukeshwar. It is said that "There are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be".

General Information:
Area : 2.5 sq. km.
Population : 978
Altitude : 3133 mtrs. Above sea level
Season : May-mid-November
Clothing (Summer) : Woolens
              (Winter) : Heavy Woolens
Language : Hindi, Garhwali
Festivals : Mata Murti ka Mela (Sept.)
                  Krishna Janmashtami
                  (July/Aug.), Badri-Kedar Utsav
Local Transport : Taxis/Dandies/Ponies

Accessibility
Rail: Rishikesh railhead : 292 kms.
Road: Badrinath is connected by road to Rishikesh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Nainital and Almora districts in Uttaranchal. Some of the major road distances are: Delhi-518 km, Rishikesh-297 km, Joshimath-42 km, Haridwar-321 km, Karnaprayag-123 km, Rudraprayag-155 km, Deoprayag-225 km, Dehradun-343 km.

Places of Interest
Badrinath Temple: The temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches. The present structure is 15 mtrs high and has a gilded cupola. The rawal or chief priest of the temple is a Namboodripad Brahmin from Kerala. The temple is divided into three parts - the garbha griha or sanctum sanctorum, the darshan mandap where the rituals are conducted and the sabha mandap where devotees assemble.

Tapt Kund and Surya Kund: The famous hot springs just below the temple. The sulphurous waters have a temperature of 55 deg. C. A dip, considered holy and refreshing to the body as well as the soul, is a must before offering prayers to Shri Badrinathji.

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

Accommodation

• Cottages
• Bhavans
• Inspection House

Shopping:
The pilgrimage centre has shops with a variety of trinkets and ritual items for sale. Apart from these, framed pictures of Badrinathji, wood carvings and religious books are also available.

Excursions
Mata Murti Mandir: 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 kms. Inhabited by an Indo- Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet on this route.

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

Srinagar: 105 kms. from Rishikesh. An important cultural and educational center, 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 kms. 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 kms. from Rishikesh. The confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers, where there are temples dedicated to Uma and Karn.

Bhavishya Badri: 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).