Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand | Images, History, Best Time, Yatra, Timings

Badrinath Temple, Badrinath Overview

Badrinath Temple or the Badrinarayan Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is one of the four Char Dham and Chota Char Dham pilgrimage yatras. It finds its mention in the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Lord Vishnu in India. Situated at the height of 10,279 feet, the temple is surrounded by lofty snow-clad Himalayas with Alaknanda River flowing by.

The religious importance and purity of Badrinath Temple allures scores of devotees. The main gate of the shrine painted with myriad colours. It has not only the image of Lord Vishnu but, several other gods and saints are housed inside the temple.

Badrinath Temple has a Tapt Kund, a hot water spring which is considered to have medicinal values. River Alaknanda is known to originate from here. The vibrant festivals of Mata Murti Ka Mela and the Badri Kedar Festival give you another reason to visit the temple.

From November to April end, the temple remains closed due to extreme weather conditions. Badrinath is accessible by road and therefore driving up to this pilgrim spot is not difficult.

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History & Legend of Badrinath Temple

According to one belief, the temple was a Buddhist shrine till the 8th century after which Adi Shankara converted it into a Hindu temple. Another belief is that the temple was originally established by Adi Shankara in the 9th century. It is said that he discovered an image of Lord Badrinath in the river Alaknanda and enshrined it near Tapt Kund. He also expelled the Buddhists living in that region. In the 16th century, the King of Garhwal moved the idol in the present temple. The temple came under the British rule when the state of Garhwal was divided. The Badrinath Temple has gone through several renovations. In the 17th century, it was expanded by the Kings of Garhwal. In 1803, it was destroyed in a major earthquake and was rebuilt by the King of Jaipur.

There are many tales associated with the Badrinath Temple. According to one legend, Lord Vishnu performed penance at this place and during his deep meditation, he was unaware of the harsh weather. His consort, Goddess Lakshmi, turned into a Badri tree and protected the lord. He was pleased by her efforts and therefore, named the place, Badrikashram.

Architecture of Badrinath Temple

The Badrinath Temple has a colourful main gate, known as Singhdwar. It is around 50 metres tall with a small cupola on top.
The entire shrine is divided into three structures- the Garbha Griha or the sanctum sanctorum, the Darshan Mandap for the rituals and the Sabha Mandap for the devotees. The Garbhagriha has a conical-shaped roof covered with sheets of gold and is 15 metres tall. A series of broad stairs lead devotees to the main entrance. Just inside is the mandap, a large pillared hall which has walls of intricate designs.
The main shrine has an image of Badrinarayan, a 1 metre tall black stone, holding a conch and a Chakra. It is considered to be one of the 8 swayam vyakta kshetras or self-manifested statues of Vishnu.
The sanctum also houses images of many other gods like Nar and Narayan and Lakshmi and saints like Adi Shankara, Vedanta Desika and Ramanujacharya.

Badrinath Temple Pooja Rates

Though the regular darshan is free for all devotees, there are different amounts charged for performing special poojas or Abhishekams. The prices are-

4:30 PM to 6:30 AM
Maha Abhishek (1 Person)- INR 4300
Abhishek Puja (1 Person)- INR 4101

6:30 AM to 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Ved Path (1 Person)- INR 2100
Geeta path (1 Person)- INR 2500

Badrinath Special Puja
Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah Path- INR 35101
Entire Pujas of a day (1 Person)- INR 11700
Evening Aarti/Archana & Path (6:00 PM to 9:-- PM)
Swarna Aarti (1 Person)- INR 376
Vishnusahasranam Path (1 Person)- INR 456
Kapoor Aarti (1 Person)- INR 151
Shayan Aarti (1 Person)- INR 3100

Daily or Periodical Puja/ Bhog & Akhand Jyoti
Akhand Jyoti Annual- INR 4951
Ghrit Kambal Ghee on closing day- INR 4951
Ghee for Deepak on closing day- INR 3511
Akhand Jyoti One day- INR 1451

Puja on Special Occasions
Bhagwan Nar-Narayan Janmotsava (Shrawan Month)- INR 4951
Shrawani abhishek (Shrawan Month)- INR 11701
Shri Krishan Janmastami Utsav- INR 10551

Best Time To Visit Badrinath Temple

The best time to visit the Badrinath Temple would be May - July. An ideal time to visit Badrinath Temple would have been when the temperature is moderately cold, but the temple remains closed from November to April. The place becomes quite dangerous in monsoons as there are chances of landslides. As Uttarakhand is generally cool due to its high altitudes, you will not face the scorching summer heat that other regions face in India during the summer.

Tips For Visiting Badrinath Temple

1. Liquor and non-vegetarian food should not be consumed in this holy town.
2. It is advisable to carry ample woollen clothing since Badrinath is always chilly.
3. Photography is prohibited inside the temple premises.
4. It is normal to feel a little dizzy in Badrinath due to the low oxygen content in the air.

Badrinath by Helicopter

The most revered stopover from the Char Dham yatra is Badrinath. To avoid long travel hours you can choose to visit Badrinath via a helicopter.

Starting Point: The starting point for the trip is Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun. You can reach Dehradun a day early to catch your scheduled charter.

Duration: It takes between 50 minutes to 1 hour (subject to clear weather) to complete the trip from Sahastradhara to Badrinath helipad.

Cost: The cost of the trip hovers between 3,50,000 to 3,80,000 and includes taxes. It involves 3-4 hours of travel time to complete the journey back and forth. The timings are usually fixed with charters leaving around 6-7 in the morning and returning by 3 PM. Some travel agencies also offer per person bookings that start from 70,000 INR (subject to availability).
How to Book: There are plenty of travel agencies that operate helicopter services in Uttarakhand. It is advised to prioritize advanced booking to avoid any last minute rush and unnecessary surcharge. You can choose your preferred date from their official websites and customize your plan.

Please Note: Helicopter packages usually include a car that will you take you to the temple and drop you back for the return trip. You will also get an exclusive VIP pooja pass with the package.

Every helicopter can accommodate a maximum of 4-5 passengers (depends on the type) with the total weight not exceeding around 300 kgs.

How to Reach Badrinath Temple

The Badrinath Temple is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand between Nar-Narayana hills on the banks of Alaknanda river. There is a bus stand on the Narayan Palace Road, just 1 Km from the Badrinath Temple. Also, you can take private cars or taxis. Helicopter services are also available for Badrinath from Dehradun. Read more here.

When it comes to local transport, you can easily reach the temple by car or taxi. However, exploring the town on foot is the best option.