Badrinath Tourism Guide
History of Badrinath Dham
Shri Badrinath Dham is located 3,133 m above sea level in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The
Badrinath Dham Mandir (temple) is one most important shrines among the Char Dham Pilgrimage sites & also
highly revered among the Panch Badri. It is mentioned in Bhagavata Purana that at Badrikashram (means
Badrinath), the sages Nara and Narayana had been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the
welfare of all living entities. This religious town is situated between the Nar & Narayan Mountains on
the bank of the river Alaknanda. There are a few legendary beliefs associated with this sacred place.
When Goddess Ganges was descending on the earth, she split the entire water into 12 channels & one of
them was Alaknanda. Another belief is that when Lord Vishnu meditated here then Goddess Lakshmi stood
next to protect him from scorching sunlight & later she turned into a Badri herself called 'BADRI
VISHAL' and lord (Nath) became the Badrinath. It is mentioned in Mahabharata that Pandavas ascended to
heaven from the Swargarohini peak through Badrinath and the town of Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath.
Click to know more about - History of Badrinath Dham
Places to Visit in Badrinath
Mana village: It is located 03 km ahead of Badrinath
temple & last village at Indo-China Border. Mana village is on the bank of river Saraswati. It is famous
for woolen garments made for sheep wools as shawls, pankhi &, etc. The place has religious importance
also; it is believed that Pandavas went to heaven from this village only.
Satopanth: Satopanth is one of high altitude lakes,
situated at a distance of 18 Kms from Mana which can be covered by trekking. It is believed that Trinity
(Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh) takes bath in this Sarovar on the auspicious occasion of Ekadasi as per Hindu
Calendar.
Tapt Kund: Tapt Kund is a natural hot water spring.
Bathing at this Kund is believed to be auspicious before entering Badrinath Temple. The hot water of
Kund has healing & medicinal value also.
Brahmkapal: It is a lofty snow-clad peak that forms a
backdrop of the Badrinath Dham. It is also known as the ‘Queen of Garhwal’, The place is also famous for
the Brahma Kamal flower.
Neelkanth: It is located 02 km from Badrinath &
situated at the bank of the Alaknanda river. The devotees perform Pooja here for the salvation of the
ancestors & rid them from the cycle of birth & death.
Vasudhara Falls: Vasundhara Falls is located in the
Mana Village & it is the main attraction of the place. The sparkling waterfalls from 400 ft. The
majestic view of the imposing peaks of Satopanth, Chaukhamba, and Balkum can be seen from here.
Vyas Gufa: It is an ancient Cave (gufa) of Sage Vyas
Muni where he wrote the great epic Mahabharata. The caves associated with ancient sages and yogis, like
Ganesh Gufa, Bhima Gufa, and Muchakanda Gufa are known for a very long.
Charan Paduka: It is just 3 km away is a beautiful
meadow carpeted and adorned with Himalayan flowers during summer.
Sheshnetra: 1.5 km away is a boulder having an
impression of the legendary snake, better known as the Sheshnag’s eye (Shesh meaning Sheshnag and Netra
meaning eye). On the opposite bank of the river Alaknanda, in the lap of Nar Parvat, there are two small
seasonal lakes. Between these lakes is a boulder having an impression of the legendary snake, Sheshnag.
The Urvashi Temple: Badrivishal, the ashram of Nar and
Narayan, both performed penance, and now, in the shape of mountains, guarding the temple, was also the
scene of their temptation. While they were in deep meditation, Lord Indra sent a group of celestial
maidens or apsaras to distract them. Narayan tore his left thigh out of the flesh, creating several
nymphs each more beautiful than the other. The most ravishing of all of them – Urvashi — led the nymphs
to Indra and shattered his pride near a small pond in the Charanpaduka, 2 kilometers from Badrivishal.
The pond bears the name of Urvashi, and there is a temple on the outskirts of Bamni village dedicated to
the lovely nymph.
Narada Kund: Narad Kund is a hot water spring near
Tapt Kund. It is said that at this place Sage Adi Shankaracharya recovered the idol of Lord Vishnu.
Before the Darshan of Badarinath, it is a common ritual to take a holy dip in this Kund.
Mata Murti Mandir: Located about 3 km from Badrinath,
on the right bank of the Alaknanda stands this temple. The Temple is dedicated to the mother of Shri
Badarinath (Maa Murti).
Panch Dharas: The Panch Dharas (five streams) which
are famous in Badaripuri are Prahlad, Kurma, Bhrigu, Urvashi & Indira Dhara. The most striking of these
is the Indira dhara, about 1.5 km north of the town Badaripuri. Bhrigudhara flows past a number of
caves. The one on the right of river Rishi Ganga, originally from the Neelkanth range is Urvashi Dhara.
Kurma Dhara water is extremely cold whereas Prahlad Dhara has lukewarm water, which glides majestically
down the rocks of Narain Parvat.
Panch Shilas: Around the Tapt Kund, there are five
blocks of mythological importance called Narad, Narsimh, Barah, Garur & Markandeya Shilas (stone).
Standing between Tapt and Narad Kund is conically formed Narad Shila. It is said that the sage Narad
meditated on this rock for several years.
Darshan Timing:
4:30 am to 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Badrinath Opening Date & Closing Date 2025:
04 May-2025 & 10-Nov-2025*
How to reach Badrinath:
The nearest railway station to Badrinath is Rishikesh located at a distance of 290 km approx. Jolly
Grant airport is the closest airport which is 315 km approx.
Where to Stay in Badrinath:
Here are some of the deluxe and budgeted staying options in Badrinath Dham Uttarakhand. - Stay in
Badrinath
