Badrinath

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Badrinath
is a Hindu holy town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the
state of Uttarakhand, India. It is the most important of the four sites
in India's Char Dham pilgrimage.
 
Badrinath
was established as a major pilgrimage site by Adi Shankara in the ninth
century. In recent years its popularity has increased significantly,
with an estimated 600,000 pilgrims visiting during the 2006 season,
compared to 90,676 in 1961. The temple in Badrinath is also a sacred
pilgrimage site for Vaishnavites.

 


 
The
Badrinath temple is the main attraction in the town. According to
legend Shankara discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan
made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River.



 
 
 


Places to See :
 



 
Badrinath Temple(Adi Shankaracharya Ji)

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 550C. A dip, considered holy and refreshing to
the body as well as the soul, is a must before offering prayers to Shri
Badrinath ji.

Neelkanth

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


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 km. Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian
village before Tibet on this route.

Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasundhara Falls
3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu
mythology and form part of the pilgrimage of Badrinath.

Govindghat, Ghangaria

24 km. Here the Alaknanda and Laxman ganga meet. Provides access to the
famous Valley of Flowers National Park (19 km) and Hemkund Sahib (20
km).

Vasuki Tal

This is high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that
ascends to 14,200 feet.

Nand Prayag

190 km from Rishikesh, where the River Alaknanda meets the River
Mandakini. An important pilgrim centre that has the temple of Gopalji.

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).

Adi Badri

Situated at an altitude of 3,200 feet, Adi Badri has ancient temples.
It is 17 km from Karnaprayag on the Karnaprag-Ganai-Ranikhet route.
Accommodation is available at a PWD Inspection Bungalow.



 
 
 


Travel Information :
 
 



By Air : Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (317kms.)
 
By Rail : Nearest railheads are at Rishikesh 297 km away and Kotdwara 327 km away, which are connected with major cities of North India.
Mansarovar.
 
By Road :
 
Route 1 : Delhi - Rishikesh : 243 km by rail/road, Rishikesh-Badrinath :297 km by road.Route 2 : Delhi - Kotdwara: 300 km by rail/road, Kotdwara-Badrinath-327 km by road.