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Fast Facts 
| Area |
3 sq km |
| Languages |
Hindi, English, Garhwali |
| Best Season |
May to September |
Badrinath - Location
Badrinath is located on the right bank of the river Alaknanda in the district of Chamoli in the Garhwal region of Uttaranchal. Badrinath is surrounded by the two mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan on its two sides with the Neelkanth peak on the background. This hill resort is a famous pilgrimage for the Hindus as the temple of the God Vishnu is situated here.
Badrinath - Weather
The hill station is closed almost after Diwali as during the winter months as the area becomes snow-covered. The tourist season starts from the month of May. The weather is not to so hot during the days and cold by the night during the summer months. You have to take light woolen clothes as the weather can change suddenly.
Badrinath - Origin
According to local legends, the place got its name from the plant of Badri, a local wild berry. The story goes that Lord Vishnu was sleeping at this place when the sun trays started to disturb him. His consort Parvati, took the shape of the Badri plant to provide shade to the lord. Vishnu, happy with her devotion, told her that the place would become known by her name since then. Hence, the place got the name Badrinath.
Badrinath - Places to See
There is a very popular shrine of Lord Vishnu, which is said to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the early 9th century AD. The place is one of the four pilgrimage center of Garhwal the other three being Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Badrinath is also called the Baikunth Dham or the Heaven on Earth. The entrance of the temple is significant. The gates of the temple are closed from the month of October till April and the idol of Vishnu is shifted to Vasudeva temple at Joshimath. There is a hot water spring, Tapt Kund, near the temple. It has hot water even when it is freezing cold all around the spring is said to cure several diseases naturally by taking a dip in it. The other hot water springs in Badrinath are Narad Kund and Surya Kund.
Brahma Kapal is a flat platform on the bank of the river Alaknanda. The people perform the last rites for the departed souls of their relatives on this place. you can visit Sheshnetra, a rock boulder with the impression of the Shesh Nag, the serpent on which Lord Vishnu rests. Charanpaduka is a rock boulder, which is said to be the footprints of Lord Vishnu. There is another important temple dedicated to Lord Badrinath called the Mata Murti Temple.
Alaknanda is one of the largest rivers of Garhwal and is equated with the River Ganga in holiness. The origin of the river Alaknanda is from the Glacier Alka Puri, which can be bvisited from this place. Satopanth is a triangular lake and is located at a height of 4402 m from sea level. It is one of the sources of the Alaknanda river.
The visit to Mana village, 3 km from Badrinath would interest a lot of tourists because it is the last village of India on this border. Beyond the village is the border of Tibet, China. The village Mana is also the last military post of Indian army.
Badrinath is one of the famous Panch -Badri in Chamoli district of Garhwal. The other Badris are the Yog Dhyan-Badri famous for the idol of Vishnu in meditative position, Adi-Badri known for a group of 16 temples, Vriddha-Badri known to be the earliest shrine of Badrinath and Bhavishya-Badri, which will be worshipped in future. All these temples are worth paying a visit for their religious sanctity as well as architectural heritage.
Around Badrinath
Joshimath is a well-known hill station as well as a religious center. It is the winter seat of lord Badrinath. Auli, 6 km from Joshimath can be visited for skiing and other winter sports during winters. The Valley of Flower is a place known as Heaven on Earth. There are numerous verities of flowers in the valley, which are rarely found otherwise. You can see flower like Brahma Kamal there in the months of June-August. Hemkund is near the Valley of Flowers. There is beautiful lake, Hemkund and the Gurudwara of Hemkund Sahib. It is the highest gurudwara in India.
The tons near Badrinath are Vishnu Prayag, Karna Prayag, Nanda Prayag, Pipalkoti and Chamoli. All the towns have temples, big or small. You can get the local touch in these towns and can purchase local products from the markets.
Badrinath - Accessibility
By Air: the nearest airport to Badrinath is the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun. It is about 317 km from Badrinath.
Bt Rail: the nearest railway stations to Badrinath are at Rishikesh and Kotdwar, which are at a distance of 297 km and 327 km respectively.
By Road: baronet is very well connected with the important cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and the cities of Kumaon.
Badrinath - Accommodation
There are plenty of hotels and cottages available in Badrinath according to your budget. The guesthouses of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Public Works Department, Jal Nigam and Forest Department are also available. Dharamshalas run by religious organizations are cheap and clean. Only vegetarian food is available at Badrinath. You can find Chinese, South and North Indian dishes.
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