For me, visiting Badrinath was like realizing a lifelong dream. I grew up in a setting where we frequently heard tales about Char Dham in our homes and harbored hopes of making the trip there. Even though people frequently travel to Kedarnath dham and Badrinath together, Badrinath is still more accessible than Kedarnath. Both of these locations are in the Himalayas, which are almost hostile to people despite our invasion with buildings, roads, and helicopters.
The trip to Badrinath is a pilgrimage in and of itself because of the extreme cold, the altitude, and the length and difficulty of the trip. It’s also best to be as organized as you can.
On the way to Badrinath
Trip details to help you plan
Badrinath Dham History and Mythology
The native appellation for a particular kind of wild fruit, Badari, gave rise to the name of the Badarinath tirtha. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi assumed the shape of a berry tree to protect Lord Vishnu from the scorching sun while He was performing penance in these mountains. Lord Vishnu lives there, but it is also the residence of many pilgrims, saints, and sages who come here to meditate in search of enlightenment.
According to another legend, Badrinath was once the home of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati before being carried away by Lord Vishnu through the use of a prank that also demonstrated the love between the two gods.
One of the Char Dhams, which also includes Jagannath Puri, Dwaraka, and Rameshwaram, is Badrinath. Also, it is one of the four northern Chota Dhams, along with Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath. There is great religious and spiritual importance to both the land of Badrinath and the temple.
According to the Skand Puran, Adiguru Shankaracharya brought the idol of Lord Badarinath back to this temple in the eighth century A.D. after retrieving it from Narad Kund. Adi Shankaracharya restored Badarinath, also known as Badari Vishal, to restore Hinduism’s lost lustre and to knit the nation’s people together. It was constructed during a time when there was concern that Hinduism might lose its prominence and splendour as Buddhism was growing in the Himalayan range. To restore Hinduism’s former glory, Adi Sankaracharya constructed temples in the Himalayas for the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu.
Per the puranic tale, the Pandav brothers and Draupadi travelled on their final pilgrimage by climbing the slopes of a peak near Badarinath known as Swargarohini, also known as the “Ascent to Heaven”.
Many ancient religious luminaries, including Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Sri Madhavacharya, Sri Nityananda, and Kapila Muni, came here for study and quiet meditation, and many still come here today. Maharshi Narada attained salvation here, and Lord Krishna loved this region.
Badrinath Weather and Best Time to Visit
Badrinath is situated just before the Indo-Tibetan border in the remote Garhwal region of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The weather in Badrinath is good between April and October for pilgrims and tourists. Temperatures can vary from 6°C to 17°C during this time. One can go to the Badrinath shrine during this time for darshan. The dates for when the temple shutters on Vijayadashami and reopens on Vasant Panchami can be found listed on the official website. Since landslides frequently occur in the region, the rainy monsoon months of July to August present certain risks. It is advisable to abstain from monsoon peaks and follow weather warnings broadcast by the weather department before planning a visit.
How to Reach Badrinath
By Own Car/Taxi/Mini Bus/Bus
Taking a private vehicle is the most practical way to get to Badrinath. You have the freedom to pause your travel and enjoy natural scenery. Because on this trip, there are many beautiful sights. You have two options for transportation: either use your vehicle or take a taxi or Tempo Traveller. Plan to drive your vehicle if you are a safe driver; otherwise, a taxi might be a suitable choice. Accidents are frequent due to the area’s hazardous roads.
Depending on the vehicle, a 4-wheeler taxi might cost as little as 3,500 per day. The daily cost of a tempo traveller is about Rs. 6,000. Typically, the price covers both parking and the driver’s salary.
The most common route from Haridwar/Rishikesh :
Haridwar – Rishikesh – Deoprayag – Kirtinagar – Shrinagar – Rudraprayag – Gauchar – Karnaprayag – Nandprayag – Chamoli – Birahi – Pipalkoti – Garur Ganga – Helang – Joshimath – Vishnuprayag – Govindghat – Pandukeshwar – Hanumanchatti – Shri Badarinathji
By Bus
Buses are the most affordable option for the journey from Haridwar or Rishikesh to Badrinath, most of them departing from Haridwar/Rishikesh bus station between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. It takes 10–12 hours to reach Badrinath by bus. If buses aren’t available, you can break your journey by taking buses to Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Joshimath, or Govindghat and further by another bus or private jeep/taxi on the next day. Tickets can be purchased directly at the bus station or online.
By Train
Located 295 kilometres away, Rishikesh is the closest railway station to Badarinath. The major Indian cities have good train connections to Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, you must travel farther by road or helicopter.
By Air
The closest airport to Badarinath is Jolly Grant Airport, which is 35 km from Dehradun and located 314 kilometres away. With daily flights, Jolly Grant Airport is well-connected to Delhi. Motorable roads link Badarinath and Jolly Grant Airport effectively. From Jolly Grant Airport, taxis can take you to Badarinath.
Helicopter Services, which flies from the Srahatradhara helipad in Dehradun to the Badrinath helipad, is an additional choice. One day is enough to finish the tour. The journey takes about 70 minutes each way. You will therefore return in the evening if you leave in the morning. You can also book a private helicopter for the entire trip if your family is between 5 and 6. Visit these websites to reserve a helicopter for Badrinath Airport.
Registrations and Timings
Registration for Badrinath Visit
Travellers need to register in advance to visit any of the char dhams, including Badrinath, because of the accidents that have occurred in the region in the past. On their official website, https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/, you can register. Keep a copy of your registration that includes a QR code that you may always download or print with you.
Badrinath Temple Timings
For Abishek Puja, the temple is open from 4.30 to 6.30 in the morning. The biggest event of the day is certainly this one. Attend the puja if you can because there won’t be many people and you can catch a quick glimpse of the deity.
Otherwise, visitors can visit the temple kapat from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the day. Between 1 and 4 in the afternoon, they close. After Shayan, or the evening aarti, which is held from 8.30 to 9.00 pm, the kapat shuts down.
Best places to stay in Badrinath
In Badrinath, there are many places to stay, from luxurious hotels to straightforward yet effective Dharamshala. Since it is a small town, most are near the shrine and accessible on foot. If you are coming by private vehicle, to save money, it is advisable to book a hotel off the beaten path, i.e., on a side road, before reaching Badrinath.
Guest houses run by GMVN are an excellent alternative to hotels. However, one needs to book in advance. During the peak travel seasons, you can discover a few possibilities on Booking.com or Makemytrip.com. To make a guesthouse reservation, go to the official GMVN website.
Places to visit near Badrinath
Hemkund Sahib
The Hemkund Sahib, at a height of 4,329 metres, is a gurudwara located next to the Hemkund Lake. Every year, thousands of travellers visit for pilgrimage and to pay obeisance to the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh pondered here on the calm shores of this lake, according to the holy book, Granth Sahib. However, since there is no road, one needs to trek a distance of approximately 20 kilometres from one side.
Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers is a hiking route deep within the Himalayas and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route crosses through bridges, streams, glaciers, open meadows, and deep woodlands. Finally, you will come across stunning meadows brimming with alpine wildflowers, which are especially stunning in the spring.
Mana Village
Village Mana is only 4 km north of Badrinath. Before the Tibetan border, it is the last village that may be called home. Due to the presence of Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa, the location is revered. Here, Ved Vyas recounted the Mahabharata, which Lord Ganesha himself had written.
You can even glimpse the Saraswati River here just before it vanishes. Swargarohini, or the gates to heaven, which the Pandavas and Draupadi travelled through on their final trek, is another significant site.
Auli
Near Joshimath is the lovely ski resort of Auli. Auli is accessible by road, although the ropeway facility from Joshimath can be an enchanting experience. Stunning pastures with snow-capped mountains in the background make it an awe-inspiring destination.
The mild slopes of Auli are excellent for skiing and drawing skiers during the winter. On the way to Auli, numerous hotels offer picturesque settings.
Connectivity from Major Places
Badrinath is well-linked in terms of connectivity. Those who are considering taking the train have Haridwar/Rishikesh railway station as an option. NH58 provides convenient access by road. Buses to Rishikesh are easily accessible from Delhi’s ISBT Kashmiri Gate. After that, you can take a taxi to Badrinath. Alternatively, you might also take a car up to Badrinath.
Our very own experience of visiting Badrinath Dham
We drove to Badrinath in our car. It was wonderful to pass by beautiful landscapes along the route, and it was a lot of fun to stop and dine at various locations en route. We left Rishikesh early in the morning since we were not tightly scheduled; we spent the first night at Gauchar. We went for Badrinath the following day from Gauchar. On our return journey to Rishikesh from Badrinath, we visited Auli, where the setting and mountain views were breathtaking. It was a dream come true to experience the temple’s peace and tranquillity. Overall, this trip will live forever in our memories.
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