Badrinath Dham

Badrinath town is located in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand in India. It is a holy place as named obtained from Badrinath Dham one of the among four Dham (Char Dham: Badrinath, Jagatnathpuri, Rameswaram and Dwarkapuri). A large number of Badri (kind of berry) can be seen abundantly here hence the place is named as Badrinath. Lord Vishnu enshrined in meditative posture flanked by Nar and Narayana.

_______________________________________________About_________________   __________________________ _

Badrinath temple is located on the bank of Alaknanda River at Garhwal region of Chamoli District in Uttarakhand. The Badrinath town is between two legendary mountains Nar and Narayan. The Badrinath temple is the main attraction in the town. The temple is built of stone. It is having a large and tall entrance gate. A king size bell is towering into the entrance of temple. Badrinath Temple have three main section. Inside is the Mandapa and a large intricated carvings pillared hall which leads to the Garbha Grha which is the main shrine of temple, Darshan Mandap is the place where devotees perform worship and Sabha Mandap is to assemble for devotees. 

Badrinath is not only shrine and pilgrimage site but the natural beauty with the snow-clad mountain peaks and geographical view of Garhwal region also the attractive points here. Here are some sacred ponds and natural water sources which rejoice the mood of visitors and spellbound them. Apart from all these this place is also famous for Adventure and Amateur Activities. 

While going to the Badrinath visitors passes through Joshimath. It is the place where the worship of Lord Badrinath performed during the winter session. In the winter session, due to heavy snow fall and blockage of roads and extreme cold the sessional worship is performed in the Narshinga Temple. Auli is also near to Joshimath where the international levels Skating championship organised every year.

________________________________________Worship Timing_________________________________________

The temple opens early in the morning at 0400 Hrs and closes at 2100 Hrs in the night. In between that time entry and worship in the temple hold up for the 03 Hour from 1300 Hrs to 1600 Hrs. Opening and Closing ceremony performed every day with conches, bells and chants. Morning worship names as Abhishek, Maha-Abhishek, Gita-Path and evening worship named as Aarti and Geet-Govind. All these are included in the special worship and devotees can also organised Special worship on behalf of them by doing pre-booking. 

___________________________________________Time to Visit___________________________________________

A delightful weather remains with cold airflow in Badrinath. It is very chilled place all over the year but the best time to visit is  May- June and September-October. The Kewad (doors) opened in the month of April-May and close on October-November month every year. In between the period of May to October the two to three months mid-July to mid-September are disturbing time for the visitors due to rainy session and the roads get blocked due to occasional landslide.

In the winter session, the Kewad (doors) get closed due to heavy snow fall and chilled weather. The winter time worship place shifts to Narshing Temple Joshimath, from November to April the worship of Lord Badrinath performed here.

_____________________________________________Chronicle____________________________________________

Badrinath is known as the Hindu Pilgrimage site re-established by the Adi Shankaracharya in the 9^th century. The Badrinath temple is a sanctified Dham among the four Dham for Vaishnavas. As per mythology, a black stone image of lord Badrinarayana discovered in the Alaknanda River. Originally it was enshrined in a cave where Tapt Kund was cradle. In the sixteen centuries, the king of Garhwal moved that idol to the Temple. There are 15 idols in the temple premises, each is made of black stone. Badrinath is one of the Panch Badris (Badrinath, Yogadhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Bridha Badri, Adi Badri). Badrinath is guarded on both side by Nar and Narayana mountains on the back side the snow cladded Neelkanth peak providing a splendid back-drop.

___________________________________________Significance___________________________________________

In the Bhagwat Purana, it is characterized that here the supreme power Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of sages Nara and Narayana. They performed penance since immemorial for the welfare of all living entities in the Badrikashram.

The Badrinath is mentioned as Badri or Badrikashram in the Hindu scriptures. This place is worshiped for supreme power Lord Vishnu in the form of Nara-Narayana. In the Mahabharata Lord Krishna also mentioned the place Badri while addressing to Arjuna. 
As per another folklore when the Goddess Ganga descended to earth on the request of king Bhagiratha to reformation of suffering peoples that time the earth was unable to confrontation the force of goddess Ganga. Therefore, Ganga river split provenance, Alaknanda is one of them.

According to legend, some places of Badrinath and the mountains near to it are described into Mahabharata. When the Pandavas were going through their life’s last moment, ascending the peak called Swargrohini to go to Svarga (heaven). They passed through Badrinath and Mana town. Mana town is four km north to Badrinath where Sage Vedvyasa wrote the Mahabharata in a cave here.

__________________________________________How to Reach__________________________________________

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Badrinath, connected with New Delhi airport. The distance From Jolly Grant Airport to Badrinath Temple is almost 315 km. Booking taxis and fare vehicles are easily available from Jolly Grant Airport to Badrinath.

By Rail: To reach Badrinath nearest train facility are available upto Rishikesh. After de-boarding the train at Rishikesh Taxis and fare vehicles are easily available to Badrinath. The distance from Rishikesh to Badrinath is almost 300 km on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected to all the major station by rail networks as good as road networks.

By Road:  Badrinath is well connected with all the major places of India and maximum the small town of Uttarakhand. From Delhi, the regular bus services to Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar etc are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. From these places the taxis and fare vehicles runs frequently. Other places of Uttarakhand are also well connected to Badrinath via road.  

_________________________________________Stay for Devotee________________________________________

In view of the visiting sights, activities and the weather condition visitors are recommended to stay minimum for 02 days in Badrinath.

___________________________________________Nearby Sight__________________________________________

Badri Narayan Temple: The main shrine of this place in view of sacred.

Tapt Kund:  The natural hot ground water source, which pools in a Pond. Every devotee take a holy dip before entering the temple. A large number of peoples take holy bath all together even after being unknown to each other. It is also believed that Tapt Kund has medicinal value to cure the skin allergies.

Mana: Mana is the place known for its historical and mythological importance. It is 4 km from Badrinath towards Tibet India Border. Visitors come to have a look the last village of India. Ved Vyasa cave and Ganesha Cave is also here where the Hindu Holy scripture Mahabharata wrote by Lord Ganesha after speaking of Ved Vyasa. 

Sheshnetra: There are two seasonal lake in the lap of Nar Parvat. In between these two lakes a boulder having impression of Sheshnag and an eye formation is also available into this boulder.

Brahma Kapal: Brahma Kapal is situated on the bank of Alaknanda River. Here is a flat platform where Hindu performs propitiation rituals for their deceased ancestors.

Mata Murti: According to mythology Mata Murti prayed to Lord Vishnu to take birth as his son. Lord Vishnu fulfilled her wish and took birth as twin sons from her womb named Nar and Narayan. A fair is organised every year in the month of August at this place. It is 3 km from the Badrinath Temple.

Panch Dhara and Panch Shila, Vasudhara Water Fall, Narad Kund and Surya Kund, Pandukeshwar, Bheem Pul, Charan Paduka, Panch Prayag (Devprayag, Nandprayag, Karnprayag, Rudraprayag, Vishnuprayag), Auli and many more.

"HAVE A PLEASANT AND BLESSED VISIT"