Badrinath Yatra Dham
The famed town of Badrinath is among the four dominant Char Dham pilgrimage sites of India as well as the Chota Char Dham. It is perched at an average elevation of 3,300 metres about 10,827 feet above sea level on the banks of Alaknanda River.
This holy town is named after the Badrinath temple dedicated to the preserver, Lord Vishnu. Many Hindu devotees are smitten by the charm of this holy shrine as it showcases the traditional Garhwali wooden architecture.
Badrinath is one of the most popular and visited religious towns of the Hindus located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in India. The town of Badrinath lies between Nar and Naryana mountain ranges and in the shadow of the mighty Neelkantha peak. The several turquoise lakes, towering peaks, sacred ponds and water bodies make Badrinath a must visit place.
About Badrinath
The town gains its name thanks to the holy temple of Badrinath, devoted to the preserver, Lord Vishnu. Badrinath is one of the 5 temples dedicated to Badri (Lord Vishnu) in the Garhwal.
The temple in itself is stunningly gorgeous, thanks to its history & construction in traditional Garhwali wooden architecture. With the scenic views all around, the beautiful and lovely terrain – Badrinath will take your breath away!
History & Mythology
It is believed that the temple was established by Adi Shankaracharya and has been renovated multiple times since. In the 9th Century, the holy town of Badrinath was re-established by Adi Shankaracharya.
It is believed that pilgrims used to walk hundreds of miles to pay obeisance at the sacred sides. Apart from being an integral member of Char Dham Yatra, it is also one of the Panch Badri.
The area is known as Badri – signifying the dedication to Lord Vishnu and his dual form of Nara-Narayana. Thus, you would have heard in the Mahabharata, Krishna telling Arjun- You were Nara in former body and Narayana for your compassion and didst perform shocking harshness at Badri for many many years”.
In fact, the mountains are mentioned in Mahabharata multiple times- Pandavas are said to have ended their life after climbing their Ascent to Heaven –Swargarohini. It is believed that Pandavas traversed through Badrinath and the town of Mana.
Another story goes that when Ganga was asked to descend to earth to help the suffering humankind – the earth was unable to handle the sheer force and then Ganga was split into 12 holy channels – Alaknanda river being one.
Location
Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Badrinath lies between Nar and Narayana mountain ranges, right in the shadow of the Neelkantha peak. There are several turquoise lakes, beautifully stunning mammoth peaks and scared ponds as well as water bodies that truly makes Badrinath for a must visit!
Weather
Like most Himalayan places at an elevation of over 10,000 ft. – Badrinath is always a heaven for people who enjoy cool weather. Winters are especially cold – and often inaccessible. In the summer months, you’ll experience temperatures in Summers ranging from 8 to 19°C and Winters from -7 to 5°C.
Best time to visit Badrinath
Badrinath is open for 6 months of the year. However, if you want the most peaceful of journeys – visit right before the closing of the journey dates – i.e. a few weeks before Diwali. May and June might also be an okay time to visit but you’ll experience huge queues and influx of pilgrims at this time. Best avoided during monsoon season.
Conclusion
A must-visit for the religious folks as well as the explorers, Badrinath has plenty and more to offer. Situated amongst the most scenic of locations – Badrinath offers something for everyone. With a lot of positive vibes and beautiful prayers all around – you will be hard pressed to feel anything but contentment.
Enjoy the views, immerse yourself in truly positive vibes and take one breath after the next – Badrinath will provide you with a lot more than you can imagine. A trip to change your perspective for a lifetime! I hope the above guide helps you out, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask below!