Badrinath Temple
Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Badrinath is the great Vishnu shrine of the Himalayas, at about 3,100 metres on the banks of the Alaknanda, with Neelkanth peak rising behind it. Vishnu is worshipped here as Badrinarayan. It is one of the Char Dham, one of the Chota Char Dham and a Divya Desam, and the colourful temple with its stone steps is one of the best-known sights of the yatra.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Badrinarayan in the sanctum
- Dip or sit by the Tapt Kund, the hot spring where pilgrims traditionally bathe before darshan
- Visit Brahma Kapal, a short walk away, where ancestral rites are performed
- See the Alaknanda river and the mountains from the temple steps
- Visit the Neelkanth peak view at sunrise, if the sky is clear
Ideal for
- Devotees of Vishnu
- Pilgrims on the Do Dham or Char Dham yatra
- Anyone who enjoys Himalayan temple towns
Good to know
- Darshan hours are long but vary with the season, and sources differ, so confirm locally
- The temple is open only in the summer season, from about late April or May to early November
- It can be cold even in summer, so carry warm clothes
- Queues are longest in the early morning and in May, June and October
- Dress modestly; footwear is left outside
Spiritual significance
Badrinath is mentioned among the most sacred Vishnu sites, and tradition says Adi Shankaracharya revived worship here and set up the temple. It is a Divya Desam praised by the Alvars.
Why it matters
- A Char Dham and a Divya Desam: counted among the most sacred shrines of Vishnu
- Tapt Kund: a natural hot spring for the traditional bath before darshan
- Brahma Kapal: the traditional place for rites for ancestors
- A temple beneath the snow peaks: one of the most dramatic settings on the yatra