Badrinath Dham – The road to heaven in the Himalayan foothills
About Badrinath Dham
Badrinath Dham is a great ancient temple of Hindus surrounded by tremendous beautiful sites dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also a part of Char Dham in Uttrakhand and India out of four and one of the Divya places among 108 Divya incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The temple is between the two mountains known as Nar and Narayana in Badrinath town of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state in India. The temple is approximately 15 meters tall, with a small dome. It offers an awesome view surrounded by the foothills of the great Himalayas and the river Alaknanda flowing alongside the temple. The main entrance gate of Badrinath Dham is known as Singhdwara. Dham is popularly known in three parts, the Garbha Griha, the Darshan Mandap, or the Sabha Mandap. In Garbha Griha and Darshan Mandap, you can see the statue of Lord Vishnu in different postures, and in Sabha Mandap, all the devotees of Lord Vishnu assemble here. The temple’s structure and architecture are amazing and so colorful that whoever sees it gets enchanted. When you enter the temple premises, it feels divine. You can read about this Dham in ancient Hindu texts.
Geographical Description
Altitude: 3300 meters
Location: 30.744695°N 79.491175°E
Area: 3 km2
Population: 2.5 Lakhs (approx)
Historical Description
The question arises as to how this place was named Badrinath. The reason is that when Lord Vishnu was deep in meditation here. Goddess Lakshmi served him as a Berry tree while visiting him and surrounded the meditating Lord Vishnu in its shade so that he didn’t encounter any problems in his meditation. When Lord Vishnu completed his meditation, he blessed Goddess Lakshmi with a desire because she took more difficulties than God Vishnu; thus, he fated that supporters should bear the Goddess’ name before God’s name. Badri is another phrase for Berry, whose tree Devi Lakshmi changed herself into. The fact that Lord Vishnu decided to stay in Badrinath after completing his meditation is a testament to the spiritual power of this place. It is believed that Lord Vishnu will bless anyone who visits Badrinath with a pure heart. Adi Shankaracharya re-established Lord Narayana Statue as a black stone we call Saligram stone near the Alaknanda river in Naradkund around the 8th century A.D. Later in the sixteen century the king of Garhwal moved the statue to the present place of the temple and made a beautiful temple.
Opening and Closing timings
Badrinath is open for Pilgrimage or Devotees from April/ May to November. After November, the temple is closed for pilgrimage in in winter due to heavy snowfall.
Weather/ Accommodation
The weather is very pleasant and cool in summer; this is the best season for visitors to visit this holy pilgrimage. It is monsoon season it is monsoon season in July to September, with too much rain, and the route is also damaged due to landslides and heavy rains. From October to April, it is winter season, so chilled and snowfall is common in this season at Badrinath, and the temperature also drops.
There are many Dharamshala at a nominal price, and private hotels and tents are also available. You can easily find accommodations here.
Places visit in Badrinath.
Mana Village: The last Indian village near Badrinath. This village is situated just 3 km from Badrinath town. The culture and tradition of this village are a little different from all Uttrakhand villages. You will love to know about this village.
Vasudhara Falls is located near Badrinath and merges with the Alaknanda River. This trek is famous for visitors who come to Badrinath; it is 9 km from Badrinath. You can go by the drive to Mana Village, then you have to trek about 6 km.
Mata Murti Temple: The temple is dedicated to Lord Badrinath’s mother and is located 3 km from Badrinath near the Alaknanda River. The temple is open from 6 am to 8 pm. Suppose youplan to go in September,, youd will have a big fare at Mata Murti Temple.
Brahmkapal: Brahmakapal is a Ghat on the bank of river Alaknanda, located around 1 km from the main temple in Badrinath. This Ghat is famous for doing Pind Daan for your ancestors. It is said that if you are doing Pind Daan here, there is no need to do it elsewhere.
Satopanth Lake: The Lake is surrounded by the beautiful Himalayas, a peak away from 18 km and 22 km away from Mana village and Badrinath, respectively. In winter, from September to May, it remains under the snow.
Ghantaghar Temple: The Temple is dedicated to the protective deity of this whole area of Shri Badri Vishal. The Doors to this temple open on June 14 and closed on November 17 every year.
Narad Kund: Kund is situated in Badrinath town before the temple; people dip in this hot water spring before visiting the temple. It is said that Adi Shankaracharya reestablished the statue of Lord Vishnu here.
Ganesh Gufa: The holy place where Lord Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata. At the end of Dwaparyug, Sage Ved Vyas endeavored to write the epic Mahabharata. He was in search of a skilled writer to whom he could narrate the epic. Later, Ved Vyas Ji called upon Lord Ganesha and requested to write Mahabharata.
How do you reach Badrinath Dham
Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar- Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandprayag – Chamoli – Joshimath – Govind Ghat – Pandukeshwar – Badrinath
By Air: Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport, located 25 km away from Dehradun and connected to domestic flights from the major airport of India. Taxis are easily available from the airport.
By Train: The Nearest Railway station is Rishikesh, well connected to the National Capital, Delhi. Taxi and buses are available from here.
By Road: Badrinath is well connected by roads with the different cities in Uttrakhand, and buses or Taxis are easily available to Badrinath. You can easily find the buses from the National capital, Delhi, from Kashmiri Gate.
Distance (approx) from major cities to Badrinath
Delhi: 536 km
Haridwar: 316 km
Rishikesh: 341 km
Devprayag: 223 km
Chamoli: 102 km
Joshimath: 46 km
Chandigarh: 510 km
Himachal: 565 km