Badrinath “A mountain for Lord Shiva"

Badrinath is a pilgrim centre (among one of the Char Dham) set in the backdrop of Neelkanth Mountain Peak dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Placed between Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, Badrinath has been mentioned in various Vedas as well. It also derives huge importance due to mention in Hindu mythology especially related to Lord Shiva and given the array of legends, tales and beliefs that surround it providing it the nature of a holy destination. It is a popular pilgrim destination with devotion and spirituality sensed in almost all aspects of the town. However, Badrinath will also give you some of the most splendid and magnificent sceneries, and an absolutely awe inspiring natural beauty. Badrinath can also be your domain for a number of exciting activities.

How to reach Badrinath:

By Air-Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest domestic airport, located 317 km away. Nearest international airport is New Delhi.

By Rail-The nearest railway station is Dehradun Junction. One can always opt for a taxi or a other public means to reach the destination.

By Road- The roads of Badrinath are decently connected with the neighbouring places. Buses and taxis are easily available to reach the destination from places like Uttarakhand, Gaziabad and Srinagar.

Best Time to Visit Badrinath

Winter (October - April):
Snowfall starts towards the end of October and marks the last month for tourism and pilgrimage. Roads are closed due to extreme weather conditions and heavy snowfall. All the way to April, the roads are carpeted in snow. The climate reaches sub zero temperatures.

Summer (May-June):
May to June, is the most pleasant weather to visit Badrinath. It is still cold and you may need proper woollen wear but is marked as summertime as it reaches the highest temperature, around 18-degree celsius. There is no snowfall with clear grounds and it gets very crowded.

Monsoon (July to September):
Monsoon is during July to September. July experiences cold days and chilly nights which is ideal weather for sightseeing and adventure but heavy rainfall may cause landslides and hinder your journey. August receives occasional rainfall and one of the warmest month. Good time visit, however, landslides may occur. September experiences a little drop in temperature, with occasional rainfalls, not causing much disruption. Pilgrimage Yatra resumes by mid-September. You can enjoy the snow at higher altitudes during monsoon.

Restaurants in Badrinath
The cuisine of Badrinath does not have any delicacy that stands out or is unique to the area. Other than these the options for eating out here are also, not exactly elaborate and choices tend to be limited. One can find local eating joints and stalls that serve trypical Indian food and popular Chinese items. Also since the place assumes much religious significance for Hindus, non-vegetarian food and alcohol are prohibited.

Brahma Kamal
This is a popular restaurant situated directly opposite the Badrinath temple and overlooks the river. Serves vegetarian Indian dishes.
Badrinath & Mana Village, India

Saket Restaurant
On the route to Badrinath, this place serves steaming hot North and South Indian food. Their paranthas are a must try.
Badrinath Temple Access Path,Badrinath, Uttarakhand 246422

Places to visit in Badrinath

Badrinath Temple
Located at a height of 3133m, the Badrinath temple is a 15m black structure dating back to the Vedic Ages. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, who is idolized as Badrinath and is a sanctified shrine for Indians. The temple is located in Garhwal hill in Chamoli district on the banks of Alaknanda River. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centres in India. The image of the reigning deity worshiped in the temple is a black stone sculpture of Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan. The statue is considered by many Hindus to be a self-manifestation of Vishnu.

Mata Murti Ka Mela, which celebrates the origins of river Ganges on earth, is the most noticeable festival celebrated in the Badrinath Temple. The temple is cited in early religious texts. Divided into three assemblies: the Garbhagriha, the Darshan Mandap and Sabha Mandap, the conical shaped roof of the hall, the garbhagriha, is a gold gilded roof. The main monument is the black stone image of Badrinarayan, which is retained in a gold canopy under a Badri Tree. The Tapt Kund, a cluster of hot sulphur springs just below the temple, is considered to be therapeutic.

Vasudhara Falls
4 km of Badrinath at Mana, the Vasudhara Falls at 400 ft is believed to have been the resting place of the Pandavas. People also believe that the water falls turn away from visitors impure in thoughts and heart.

Tapt Kund
Believed to be the home of Lord Agni, Tapt Kund is a natural hot water spring at 45 degrees Celsius above the Alaknanda river bank where visitors take therapeutic baths. The water of the kund is believed to have medicinal properties.

Charanpaduka
With imprints of what is believed to be Vishnu's footprints, Charanpaduka is a rock a top 3380 ft which can be reached after an arduous trek.
People believe that Lord Vishnu set his foot first on earth here. Located 3km away from Badrinath temple this place beholds enchanting beauty and serenity.

Neelkanth
Nilkantha also known as Neelakant, Neelkanth, Nilkanth or Nilkanta, a major peak of the Garhwal division of the Himalayas, in the Uttarakhand region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand is lower than the highest peaks of the region. Even though, towers dramatically over the valley of the Alaknanda River and rises 3,474 metres above the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath, only 9 km to the east. Frank Smythe described the peak as "second only to Siniolchu in Himalayan beauty."
The Satopanth Glacier lies on the northwest side of Nilkantha, below a 2,500 m face of the peak. The Panpatia Glacier lies to the southwest, and feeds the Khirao Ganga, a stream running under the south of the peak. To the west of the peak, lies the well-known Gangotri Glacier and its adjacent peaks. The Nanda Devi groups and Kamet lie across the Alaknanda Valley.

Narad Kund
Narad Kund is the holy site on the recess of river Alaknanda from where it is believed that Adi Sankaracharya recovered the idol of Lord Vishnu.
Devotees often take a bath in this hot water geyser. People visit Narad Kund to take a dip into the water before visiting the temples. The beautiful surroundings and the mythological significance of Narad Kund attract a huge number of tourists all round the year.