Badrinath Dham : Tour Highlights

The  Char Dham Yatra as its commonly called or more accurately the chota char dham yatra is a very important Hindu pilgrimage destination in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

The four destinations in Chota Char Dham are Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is a spiritual journey which people undertake for cleansing one’s soul, attaining liberation and getting moksha.

The Char dham yatra begins from Yamunotri temple in Uttarkashi district and from their it goes to other three places namely Kedarnath, Gangotri and finally ends at Badrinath which is at the highest altitude. The total distance covered by this yatra is about 2500 kms and can be done on foot which was what people did and still do traditionally or on horsebacks and now helicopter services have also started. 

The yatra begins from the auspicious day of Akshay Tritya which falls either in April or May and ends during Diwali. Maximum tourists do the yatra in the first two months itself before the monsoon to avoid being stuck in landslides. In winter months the yatra is closed due to snowfall in the region.

Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun city in Uttarakhand becomes the starting point of Char Dham yatra.

Traditionally, people start the pilgrimage from Yamunotri followed by Gangotri and Kedarnath ending the yatra at Badrinath.

BADRINATH

Badrinath is one of the four pilgrim temple of char dham yatra. The Badrinath temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Badrinath town of Uttarakhand in the Chamoli district on the bank of Alaknanda river. Badrinath temple is located 3,133 m or 10,279 ft above sea level. The Nar Parbat Mountain is located opposite to the temple, while the Narayana Parbat is located behind the Neelkanth peak. So, the Badrinath temple is between the Nar – Narayan mountains as the locals call them.

Badrinath temple is also part of ‘panch badri’ 5 circuit temples devoted to Lord Vishnu. Badrinath is the main temple the others are Adi Badri, Vridha Badri, Bhavishya Badri and Yogdhyan Badri. All these temples are located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

The temple opens on Akshay Tritya in April or May till Diwali after which the idol is kept at Narasimha temple at Jyotirmath located 64kms away from Badrinath temple from November to April in peak winter season.

BADRINATH – HOW IT ORIGINATED - LEGENDS & MYTHS

According to Hindu legends, Sage Narad had reprimanded Lord Vishnu when he saw Lakshmi massaging his feet. To perform austerity Lord Vishnu went to Badrinath temple to meditate and Lakshmi became Badri tree to provide him with shelter in the harsh winter months. The deity in the temple is thus depicted as Lord Vishnu in Padmasana pose.

In 8th century, Adi Shankracharya found a deity of Lord Badrinath in Alaknanda river, he picked it up and kept it in the cave which was later made in a temple.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BADRINATH

The best time to visit Badrinath is from April/ May after Akshay Tritya when the temple first opens to June where the temperatures are very comfortable, they range between 10- 20-degree C. It is also peak season hence we see a lot of tourists during this time owing to summers and vacations in schools and colleges.

The months of September till second day of Diwali are relatively less crowded as the temperatures can drop very low with a high possibility of snowfall in latter months making the journey on foot difficult.

The months of June to September are months of monsoon season which is not a typical time to travel due to frequent occurrence of landslides and road blockages due to heavy rainfall in the region and the temple can remain shut during this time.

From after Diwali till April the temple is shut due to extreme snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.

PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND BADRINATH

• SHRI BADRINATH DHAM TEMPLE – dedicated Lord Badrinath a Vishnu incarnation. Its in the form of Shaligram or black stone deity of Badrinarayana, which is housed in a gold canopy under a Badri Tree. It is part of Char dham yatra and Panch Badri.
• HOT SPINGS – there are 3 hot water springs around Badrinath – SURYAKUND – where Adi Shankracharya found the Vishnu idol, TAPT KUND – believed to be home of Lord Agni and taking a dip is believed to have medicinal effects and NARAD KUND where the temperatures remain around 55 degree C irrespective of outside cold temperatures.
• VYAS CAVE – situated 5 kms from Badrinath in Mana village it is here that Sage Vyas wrote the epic Mahabharata with the help of Lord Ganesh. It is said that while Lord Ganesh was writing he was disturbed by Sarswati and when he asked her to be quiet she didn’t pay heed so Sage cursed her that nobody would be able to see her beyond this point hence River Saraswati disappears or rather is underground and reappears at Prayag.
• MANA VILLAGE – situated 4 kms from Badrinath it is the last Indian village before the international border and a popular place enroute trekking. It is wonderful to see the villagers till living a simple life amist the breathtaking mountain views.
• VASUNDHARA FALLS – located 10 kms from Badrinath this mesmerizing waterfall from the height of 122 mts. It is a heaven for nature lovers.
• MATA MURTI TEMPLE – located 3 kms from Badrinath temple this temple is dedicated to mother of lord Badrinath who is believed to have divided river Ganga in her 12 branches for welfare of all the people.
• SHESHNETRA – it is believed that Lord Vishnu took refuge here on a snake in the name of Anantha Shesha.
• SATOPANTH TREK – a high-altitude trek of moderate to difficult intensity is a hidden gem of the region. The pristine clear water of the Satopanth lake which is rich in mythology is a perfect place to trek for seasoned trekkers.
• HEMKUND SAHIB - a well-known shrine to Sikhs it is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand approximately 42 kms from Badrinath. The HEMKUND SAHIB TREK though a challenging trek is a very fulfilling trek for trekkers and esp Sikhs.
  

HOW TO REACH BADRINATH

As Badrinath is a major pilgrimage destination and part of Char Dham Yatra it is very well connected by major cities like Dehradun. From Dehradun Badrinath is 315kms away and the best  mode of transport is by road or Helicopter.

• By Air - The nearest Airport to Badrinath is Dehradun Airport or Jolly Grant airport which is just 315 kms away and the nearest International Airport is New Delhi International Airport which is more than 535 kms away. Connecting flights are available from Delhi to Dehradun.
  Helicopter services are also available from Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun till Badrinath. Though its expensive but it’s the most popular option as the journey takes only about 50 -60 mins but a helicopter booking needs to be done way in advance as it gets quickly booked.
• By Rail – Rishikesh and Dehradun railway stations are closest stations to Badrinath and they are well connected with frequent trains from major destinations of India.
• By Road – one can take a road trip from either Dehradun or Rishikesh while taking in the scenic surroundings and visiting popular tourist destination along the way. Busses and Taxis are easily available to Badrinath are is a more economical option than a helicopter ride.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CARRY

1. CLOTHING – Travelling to Badrinath one will require to be dressed in warm yet comfortable clothing as the weather is quite cold. Layering your clothes hence becomes important and practical.

• Wearing thermal tops and bottoms is a must esp. when travelling during winter months along with some woolen or thermal socks. Over the thermals one can wear layers of other clothing items to keep warm.
• A woolen cap or a beanie will keep one warm especially when winds are strong.
• As one has to undertake a trek to reach the temple comfortable and sturdy shoes are a must.
• A waterproof jacket, torch as it gets dark quite early and sunscreen should be carried too.
• Important thing to note is that shorts, miniskirts, night suits and torn jeans aren’t allowed inside some temple hence it would be better if they are avoided
• 2. ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS – As a part of Char Dham Yatra prior registration is COMPULSORY on the official website or app.

A government id proof such as Aadhar card, passport or driving license is required at all hotels or guest houses while you check in. additionally some permits might be required while visiting some national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

3. MEDICINES – if you are on any lifelong medicines definitely carry those. Along with it one can carry a few basic medicines for fever and pain relief and some basic first aid stuff like band aids, antiseptics and ointments. Since it’s a high altitude region acclimatization is very important and necessary medication and advise has to be followed.

4. MISCELLANEOUS – other items like torch, umbrella, raincoats, sturdy backpack to keep some raincoats etc and sunscreen can be carried too.

FAQs ABOUT BADRINATH

Q1. Is Helicopter Service Available To Visit Badrinath?

Ans: Yes, helicopter services are available from Dehradun directly till Badrinath temple. But prior booking is a must as during peak season the slots become full very easily.

Q2. What Is The Best Time To Visit Badrinath?

Ans: The best time to visit is in April or May till June as the temple opens on Akshay Tritya in April or May as the temperatures are manageable 12 – 20-degree C. During monsoon the risk of landslide is quite high and during winter months the temple is closed due to heavy snowfall in the region.

Q3. Can One Do A Badrinath Yatra Without Registration?

Ans: One cannot do Badrinnath or any char dham yatra without prior registration on the government website or app for safety concerns.

Q4. What Is Badrinath Also Known As?

Ans: Badrinath is also known as Badrinarayan Temple, Vishnudham and Badari Vishal.

Read more: Kedarnath Dham - Tour Highlights