The sacred abode of Lord Badrinath is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. Nestled among the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Badrinath temple is a place of worship dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It attracts pilgrims from around the globe for its religious significance, rich mythology, and breathtaking views. To make your pilgrimage a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we recommend booking a Savaari cab a reliable and trusted taxi service to explore the picturesque journey to Badrinath temple with ease and convenience. So, embark on a soul-stirring journey and experience the divinity of Badrinath temple while enjoying the scenic vistas of the Himalayas.
Table of Content
- About Badrinath temple
- Best time to visit Badrinath temple
- Interesting facts about Badrinath
- Badrinath temple darshan timings
- Badrinath temple dress code
- Sevas and poojas at Badrinath temple
- Badrinath temple entry fee and pooja charges
- Badrinath temple festivals
- Other attractions near Badrinath temple
- Places to visit near Badrinath temple
- Places to eat in Badrinath
- How to plan a trip to Badrinath temple
- How to reach Badrinath temple
- Hotels and resorts near Badrinath temple
- Why visiting Badrinath temple should be on your next travel list
About Badrinath temple
One of the most popular Hindu shrines established and built between the ninth and sixteenth centuries, Badrinath Temple is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India. It is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India, and is believed to be established by Adi Shankaracharya and has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years. Of the four pilgrimage sites namely, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Yamunotri, Badrinath holds significance for being home to the Badri form of Lord Vishnu.
Deity of Badrinath temple
Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity of Badrinath Temple. It has a 3.3 feet tall black stone statue depicting Lord Vishnu in a meditative pose. This is a symbol of spiritual attainment and enlightenment and is associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu meditating under the Badri tree in the Himalayas. The statue is believed to be over 1000 years old. The Badrinath Temple complex is also home to numerous other deities like Narsimha, Kuber, and Garuda along with many small shrines.
Where is Badrinath temple located?
Badrinath Temple is in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand in India. It is located in Badrinath town in the Chamoli district of the state. Situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River and surrounded by sky-kissing mountain peaks, it is at an elevation of around 10,800 feet above sea level.
Badrinath temple history
There are many references to Badrinath Temple in Hindu scriptures like the Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata, and the Skanda Purana. While some stories refer to King Pururava from 3000 BCE as the person behind the construction of the temple, many modern references refer to Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century as the philosopher who established it. Also, it has gone through numerous renovations over time and the current structure dates back to the 16th century. Despite facing the brunt of numerous natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, devotees have always worked tirelessly to restore and rebuild the temple.
Best time to visit Badrinath temple
If you are planning to visit Badrinath as part of your Char Dham yatra, then you need to plan it during the summer months of May and June. This is also a good time to experience a spiritual atmosphere that grips the town and the sense of devotion that you are bound to feel. You can also plan a visit to the temple from September to November when the weather is pleasant making it easier to travel and explore the town. Remember, the temple is closed during winter (November to April) since the region receives heavy snowfall. Make sure that you check the road and weather conditions before planning a visit.
Interesting facts about Badrinath
Here are some interesting facts about Badrinath:
- The Char Dham pilgrimage sites are located in all four directions of India. Badrinath is the Dham in North India.
- It is one of the five Badri temples (Panch Badri) in Uttarakhand
- It finds mention in various religious texts like the Skanda Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Padma Purana as a spiritual site
- In some texts, the temple is believed to be a Buddhist shrine till the 8th century after which Adi Shankaracharya converted it into a Hindu temple
- Many people believe that the statue of Badrinath was established by Gods
- In 1803, the temple faced massive destruction due to an earthquake in the region and was reconstructed much later
Badrinath temple darshan timings
Darshan at the Badrinath Temple is free and does not require any booking or VIP pass. However, you can book a pooja, paath, bhog, or aarti with or without beg present at the temple complex.
You can visit the website of the Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee for details.
Badrinath temple dress code
There is no specific dress code for visiting the Badrinath temple. However, people are suggested to wear clothes that cover the upper arms and complete legs as a sign of respect for the customs of the temple. Also, it is important to consider the weather since summers can have hot days and very cold nights. Make sure that you dress accordingly.
Sevas and poojas at Badrinath temple
There are numerous poojas and sevas offered at the Badrinath Temple including:
Poojas/Sevas where you are not required to visit the temple
- Abhishek Puja (Bandhan)
- Akhand Jyoti Annual-Non Attending
- Astotari Path (Bandhan)
- Bal Bhog (Bandhan)
- Bhagwan Nar-Narayan Janmotsava
- Chandi Aarti (Bandhan)
- Deep Malika Utsava
- Ghee for Deepak on Closing Day
- Ghrit Kambal Ghee on Closing Day
- Karpoor Aarti (Bandhan)
- Mahabhog (Bandhan)
- Mata Murti Utsava
- Nitya Niyam Bhog
- Shri Krishna Janmashtami Utsava
- Srarwani Rudrabhishek
- Swaran Aarti (Bandhan)
- Vishnu Sahasranamawali (Bandhan)
- Vishnu Sahasranm Path (Bandhan)
Poojas/Sevas where you are required to be present at the temple
- Abhishek Puja
- Akhand Jyoti One Day
- Astotari Puja
- Chandi Arti
- Entire Pujas of a Day
- Geeta Path
- Karpoor Arti
- Maha-Abhishek Puja
- Shayan Aarti with Geet Govind Path
- Shrimad Bhagwat Sapth Path
- Swaran Aarti
- Ved Path
- Vishnusahasranamawali Path
- Vishnusahasranam Path
Badrinath temple entry fee and pooja charges
Entry to the Badrinath Temple is free. Usually, you can visit the temple and get darshan within a few hours. However, if you want to get a pooja, paath, or aarti done, then there are charges as listed below:
Poojas/Sevas where you are not required to visit the temple
| Puja Name | Rate(INR) |
| Abhishek Puja (Bandhan) | 44201 |
| Akhand Jyoti Annual-Non Attending | 4951 |
| Astotari Path (Bandhan) | 4031 |
| Bal Bhog (Bandhan) | 7301 |
| Bhagwan Nar-Narayan Janmotsava | 4951 |
| Chandi Aarti (Bandhan) | 2731 |
| Deep Malika Utsava | 4951 |
| Ghee for Deepak on Closing Day | 4951 |
| Ghrit Kambal Ghee on Closing Day | 4951 |
| Karpoor Aarti (Bandhan) | 1951 |
| Mahabhog (Bandhan) | 32501 |
| Mata Murti Utsava | 4951 |
| Nitya Niyam Bhog | 10551 |
| Nitya Niyam Bhog for Deities of Subordinate Temple | 6351 |
| Shri Krishna Janmashtami Utsava | 10551 |
| Srarwani Rudrabhishek | 11701 |
| Swaran Aarti (Bandhan) | 5201 |
| Vishnu Sahasranamawali (Bandhan) | 9101 |
| Vishnu Sahasranm Path (Bandhan) | 7411 |
Poojas/Sevas where you are required to be present at the temple
| Puja Name | Rate(INR) |
| Abhishek Puja | 4100 |
| Akhand Jyoti One Day-Non Attending | 1451 |
| Astotari Puja | 351 |
| Chandi Arti | 351 |
| Entire Pujas of a Day | 11700 |
| Geeta Path | 2500 |
| Karpoor Arti | 151 |
| Maha-Abhishek Puja | 4300 |
| Shayan Aarti with Geet Govind Path | 3100 |
| Shrimad Bhagwat Sapth Path | 35101 |
| Swaran Aarti | 376 |
| Ved Path | 2100 |
| Vishnusahasranamawali Path | 576 |
| Vishnusahasranam Path | 456 |
Badrinath temple festivals
Here are some festivals that bring the entire town of Badrinath to life and fill it with vibrancy and color:
Badrikeshwar or Badri-Kedar festival
The holy festival is celebrated in Badrinath and Kedarnath. It usually takes place in June in an attempt to bring together artists from different corners of the country to pay tribute to Indian culture. The festival lasts eight days and the entire town is imbued with a positive vibe.
Shri Krishna Janmashtami
Lord Krishna, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is worshiped ardently by Vishnu-worshippers. Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with a lot of fervor and excitement among local people, as well as pilgrims.
Mata Murti festival
On the auspicious occasion of Vaman Dwadashi in September, Badrinathji is taken from the temple to visit his mother at the Mata Murti Temple. On this day, the Kapat for Badrinath Temple remains closed for the entire day. This is a highly holy festival and is attended by numerous priests from other parts of the state and pilgrims on their way to the Badrinath Dham Yatra.
Gauchar Mela
Gauchar is a small pilgrimage town that you will encounter en route to Badrinath. This is more of a trade fair where merchants from different parts of the state come together to get into various trading activities. However, the unique part about this mela is the fact that trading between India and Tibet is also permitted during the fair. This makes for an interesting visit.
Makar Sankranti
On this auspicious day, the Kapat of one of the Panch Badri sites is opened for darshan to the public. Also, on this day, a special pooja is performed inside the Adi Bhadri Temple.
Diwali
On the day of Diwali, the Kapat for Badrinath Dham is closed for darshan. This is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience that most pilgrims don’t want to miss.
Other attractions near Badrinath temple
While Badrinath is one of the Char Dhams and a sacred pilgrimage center for Hindus, it is also located high in the Garhwal Region making it a good starting point for numerous treks and mountain expeditions. Apart from visiting the temple, there are many other things to do near Badrinath as listed below:
Places to visit near Badrinath temple
1. Tapt Kund: Take a dip in the Tapt Kund. This is a natural hot water spring believed to be the home of Lord Agni. Many people believe that the water in the Kund has medicinal properties too.
2. Vasudhara Falls: Visit Vasudhara Falls and experience the beauty and force of water falling from a height of 400 feet. It is believed that this was the final resting place of the Pandavas before they ascended to their heavenly abode.
3. Narad Kund: Visit Narad Kund. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya retrieved the idol of Lord Vishnu and established it at the Badrinath Temple at this place. It is a small Kund created by the Alaknanda River near the temple.
4. Valley of Flowers: Visit the Valley of Flowers. Located a few kilometers from Badrinath, the Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with countless varieties of beautiful flowers and flora.
5. Alkapuri Glacier: This glacier is the source of the river Alaknanda. You can reach the glacier by a 12 km trek from Mana village. It is believed to be the abode of the Gandharvas, Yakshas, and Kuber.
6. Hemkund Sahib: This is a Gurdwara dedicated to Guru Gobind Singhji. It is at an altitude of over 15,000 feet above sea level and is a popular Sikh pilgrimage destination. You will have to go through a steep trek of around 6 km to reach here.
7. Timmersain Mahadev: This is a natural Shivling made from snow during winter. This spiritual cave falls in the Niti village of Chamoli. You require special permission to visit it.
Places to eat in Badrinath
The cuisine of any place is influenced by a range of factors. Also, over the years, the constant influx of pilgrims and tourists has resulted in many good food options in Badrinath. Here is a quick list;
1. Sardeshwari Restaurant: A must-visit vegetarian restaurant for Indian dishes. Also, this place does not accept digital payments. Hence, ensure that you carry cash.
2. Saket Restaurant: This restaurant is very close to the temple and one of the default places visited by most pilgrims and tourists coming to Badrinath. It serves Indian vegetarian dishes and is known for its great tea.
3. Mishra restaurant: Another great option for Indian vegetarian food close to the temple in Badrinath.
4. Vankatesh: A simple, no-nonsense dining option for families in Badrinath, Vankatesh is known for its authentic South Indian food among other delicacies.
How to plan a trip to Badrinath temple
Depending on the time of the year when you are planning a trip to Badrinath Temple, you might experience a major influx of pilgrims or tourists. You might also have to brave harsh climate conditions depending on the weather that year. Therefore, it is important to plan and itinerate your trip before time. Think about the places that you want to visit, accommodation, and any pujas or sevas that you want to get done at the temple. Research the latest updates about the region and make sure that you have checked all boxes before you leave.
How to reach Badrinath temple
By Train
Rishikesh is the nearest railway station to Badrinath. It is around 295 km from the temple. It is a branch railway station to Haridwar and has limited direct trains. Once you arrive at the Rishikesh Station, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Badrinath within 9-10 hours. You can also take a train to Haridwar and then take a bus or taxi to Badrinath.
By Road
Badrinath has excellent road connectivity with major cities and destinations in Uttarakhand. You can take a bus or hire a cab from cities like Haridwar, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Rishikesh, etc. Many people also hire a cab from Delhi to Badrinath and travel via NH7 to enjoy the scenic beauty along this 13-hour drive.
By Flight
Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the closest airport to Badrinath Temple. It is at a distance of around 310 km and a driving time of nearly nine hours. This is the only big commercial airport in Uttarakhand with daily flights to major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. You can opt for a Savaari car rental from Dehradun airport to reach the temple in a hassle-free manner.
Hotels and resorts near Badrinath temple
| Hotel Name | Address | Phone Number |
| Hotel New Snow Crest | New Hotel Snow Crest, Main Road, Badrinath | 9980100123 |
| Jagirdar Guest House | Jagirdar Guest House, Charan-Paduka Road, Badrinath | 9412935549 |
| Badri Ville Resort | Badri Ville Resort, Nagini Hills, Badrinath | 7947418498 |
| Mountain Trex Eco Huts | Mountain Trex Eco Hut, Badrinath, Chamoli | 8979848033 |
| Joshimath Char Dham Camp | The Chardham Camp Joshimath, Near Jyoti Vidhyalaya, Joshimath Chamoli – 246443 | 7947119577 |
| Sarovar Portico | Hotel Sarovar Portico, Plot No. 834, Badrinath | 9310333317 |
Why visiting Badrinath temple should be on your next travel list
Whether you are a pilgrim or an explorer, a visit to Badrinath temple needs to be on your next travel list if you are looking for an unforgettable experience. The panoramic views of the majestic Himalayas, serene ambiance, and rich stories steeped in mythology are bound to offer an enriching experience. To ensure a seamless and comfortable journey, we recommend using the Savaari car rental app, which offers a convenient and hassle-free way to book a taxi to reach Badrinath and explore the areas near it. With Savaari, you can be assured of reliable and professional services, allowing you to focus on soaking in the divinity and natural beauty of this sacred pilgrimage site. So, if you are in the process of planning your next trip, consider Badrinath as your next destination.
Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Swati Deol
