Lord Vishnu

Badrinath is the abode of the Narayana sages and is a great place of pilgrimage. According to the Srimad Bhagavatam even five thousand years ago this holy place was being visited by such holy persons as Uddhava, and even at that time the place was known to be very old. There are four dhamas, or kingdoms of God, which represent the planets of the spiritual ky, consisting of the brahmajyoti and the Vaikunthas.

These are Badrinath, Rameswaram, Jagannath Puri, and Dwarka. Badrinath is a very important pilgrimage place and is very dear to Lord Krishna. Badrinath is also called "Narada Kshetram" since Narada Muni attained liberation here in five days. Gautama Rishi, Kapila, and Kasyapa are said to have come here, and Sankaracarya established a temple here. Sankaracarya visited some 1,225 years ago; Ramanujacarya visited 955 years ago; Madhvacarya visited twice some 735 years ago; and Lord Nityananda visited 500 years ago.

The murti of Lord Badrinath is self manifested from a two- foot-high black shalagram-shila. He is aiso called Badri Vishal or Badarinarayana.

Lord Badrinath is sitting meditating in the padmasana (lotus posture).
Badrinarayana is seen in His yogic pose, sitting erect with His palms closed.

Badrinath Pilgrimage Attractions

Panch Badris or Five Badris

Besides the main temple of Badrinath there are four other smaller badri temples. These are collectively called the panch badris or five badris. Very few pilgrims however, visit the other four Badri temples.

Yogadhyan Badri (1920 m.)

Closest to the main temple of Badrinath lies this tiny, sleepy hamlet which remains unnoticed by most pilgrims and is the winter home for the idol at Badrinath. Pandukeshwar is also an important archaeological site. Some years ago, four ancient metal foils engraved with a description of several kings in the region were discovered here. Believed to be over 1500 years old, these foils are kept at Joshimath, 30 km downstream.

Bhavishya Badri (2,744 m.)

The bhavishya or future badri is situated at Subain near Tapovan, about 17 km east of Joshimath. According to Hindu belief, when evil is on the rise in this world, the two mountains Nara and Narayan at Badrinath will close up on each other and destroy the route to the present Badrinath. This would also mark the end of the present world and the beginning of a new one. Lord Badrinath will then appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here instead of at the present one.

Bridha Badri or the 'Old Badri'

Bridha Badri or the 'old Badri' is the third temple about 7 kms short of Joshimath, on the main Rishikesh-Badrinath motor road at Animath. It is believed that Badrinath was worshipped here before its enshrinement by Shankaracharya at the main Badrinath seat. The temple of Bridha Badri is open throughout the year.

Adi Badri

Adi Badri is the farthest from the other four badris. It is approachable from Karnaprayag by a motorable road enroute Ranikhet. The temple complex has 16 small temples with intricate carvings.

Seven of these temples belong to the late Gupta period. Local tradition assigns these buildings to Shankaracharya. The main temple is distinguished by a pyramid shaped raised platform, with a black stone idol of Vishnu.

Pilgrimage Attractions in Badrinath

• Badrinath Temple
  On the right bank of Alaknanda lies the sacred spot perched at an altitude of 3,133 metres above the sea level. Encircled by a beautiful valley, the 15mtrs. High temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of gilt bull and spire. Built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya - the philosopher-saint of the 8th century, the temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches. Its colourful 'Singh Dwara' or the main entrance gate gives it a new, modern look.
  
  The temple divided into three parts - the 'garbha griba' or sanctum sanctorum, the 'darshan mandap' where the rituals are conducted and the 'sabha mandap'where devotees assemble.The complex has 15 idols. Especially attractive is the one metre high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in meditative pose.

• Tapt Kund
  Devotees take a holy dip in the natural thermal springs on the banks of the river Alaknanda, before entering the Badrinath Temple. The water of the kund is believed to have medicinal properties.

• Hemkund Sahib(43 kms.)
  Near the Valley of Flowers is the holy lake Hemkund- an important pilgrimage of the Sikhs and Hindus. Along its shores is the sacred Sikh Shrine where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru unified with God after prolonged mediation in his previous birth. Nearby is the Lakshman Temple where Lakshman - the brother of Lord Rama performed his penance. The reflection of surrounding snow-clad peaks in its placid waters offers a scenic sight.

• Brahma Kapal
  A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda where Hindus perform propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.

• Neelkanth
  A Pyramidical-shaped snowy peak towering above Badrinath, popularly known as the 'Garhwal Queen'.

• Mana Village (4 kms.)
  Inhabited by Indo-Mangolian tribe, it is considered to be the last Indian village before Tibet on this route. Nearby are Vyas Gufa- the rock cave of saint Ved Vyas, the writer of Mahabharata; Bhim Pul- a natural bridge over the Saraswati river and Vasundhara Falls- a 122 mts. high waterfall- all forming and important part of the pilgrimage to Badrinath.

• Mata Murti Temple (3 kms.)
  On the right bank of Alaknanda stands the temple dedicated to the mother of Sri Badrinathji.

• Alka Puri (15 kms.)
  The source of Alaknanda river from the glacier snouts of Bhagirath- Kharak and Satopanth glaciers.

• Satopanth (25 kms.)
  A three cornered lake with a circumference of about 1 km., situated at an elevation of 4,402 mts. above sea level. It is named ater the Hindu triad- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, who are believed to occupy one corner each of the lake. The trek is hazardous with dramatic landscapes. An experienced guide is advisable. Govindghat (25 kms.)
  The confluence of Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers. It has an imposing Gurudwara named after Guru Gobind Singh.

• Joshimath (44 kms.)
  The winter home of Shri Badrinathji is situated on the slopes above the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. It is one of the four 'maths' established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya.

• Panch Prayag
  The five important confluences- Deoprayag, Nandprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Vishuprayag, form the Panch Prayag.

• Deoprayag
  The confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. Ancient stone scriptures are found here. Important pilgrim spots are Shiv Temple and Raghunath Temple.

• Rudraprayag
  The confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. The temples of Rudranath and Chamunda Devi are noteworthy.

• Nandprayag The confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. The Gopalji Temple is worth a visit.

• Karnaprayag
  The confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers with temples of Uma and Karna.

• Vishnuprayag
  The confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers. An ancient temple of Lord Vishnu stands here by a pool called Vishnu Kund.

• Srinagar The old capital of Garhwal, it is an important cultural and educational centre. Places to visit include Kamleshwar and Kilkeshwar temples and the Shankar Math.

Lord Vishnu Poojas

Day free for Pooja, overnight stay at Badrinath