Cradled in the twin montain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines badrinath along the lift bank of the river Alaknanda . With the backdrop, it is an important destination on the sacred itinerary of every devout hindu . Once the spot was carpeted with 'badris ' or wild berries and hence was famous as 'badri van '.The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends from mythology .its sanctity is emphasised in the ancient scriptures as "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 " Legend has it when the ganga was requested to descend to earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent . therefore the mighty ganga was split into twelve holy channesl . alanknanda was one of lord vishnu or Badrinath.

The temple of shri Badrinathji on the bank of the Alaknanda river , dates back to the vedic times , situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts . , the present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya - an 8th century 's philosopher -saint , who also established a math here . Also known as vishal badri , Badrinath is one of the panch badris . The temple remains closed duriing the winter season and is open from April - May to October - November.

Genral Information

Area: 3 sq . km .
Rainafall: 1460 mm
Clothing: October to  May -heavy woollens, June to Sept -light woolens. Languages: Hindi, English and Garhwali.

How to get there

Airport: Jolly Grant, (317kms.)
Railhead: Rishikesh, (300kms .) Kotdwar ,(327 kms.)
Road: Well connected to Rishikesh , Haridwar , Dehradun , Kotdwar And other hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon region .

Places of Interest

Badrinath Temple
On the right bank of Alaknanda liesl the sacred spotl perched at an altitude of 3,133 meters above the sea level. Encircled by a beautiful valley, the 15 mts. high temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu. It is built in the form of a cone with a small cup of a ilt bull and spire. Built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya the philosopher-saint of the 8th centurty, the temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches. Its colourful 'Singh Dwar' or the mainentrance gate give it a new, modern look.The temple is divided into three parts the 'Garbh Griha' or sanctum sanctorum, the' Darshan Mandap' where the rituals are conducted and the 'Sabha Mandap' Where devotees assemble. The complex has 15 idols. Specially attractive is the one metre high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose.

Tapt Kund
Devotees take a holy dip in the natural thermal springs on the banks of the river Alaknanda , before entering the Badrinath Temple. The water of the Kund is believed to have medicinal properties.

Neelkanth
A pyramidal-shaped snowy peak towering above Badrinath, Popularly known as the `Garhwal Queen`.

Charanpaduka
The footprints of Lord Vishnu can be seen on a boulder in this beautiful meadow.

Brahma Kapil
A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda where Hindus perform

Sheshnetra
A boulder having an impression of the legendary serpant- known as Sheshnag's eye.