Badrinath Temple is situated in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. Know more about the Badrinath of Char Dham Yatra 2023 in Uttarakhand.
The delightful town of Badrinath is where divinity meets with the serenity of nature. This prominent abode of Lord Vishnu is one of the holiest of the holy shrines of Char Dham Yatra. Other than Badrinath, these sites include Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram.
Badrinath is located between Nar and Narayan peaks. This pure land of Vishnu also belongs to the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. It begins with Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath. And after that, Badrinath is the last and most famous stop in the pilgrimage tour of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand
Badrinath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in the town of Badrinath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.
The temple is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River and is surrounded by the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges. It is believed that the temple was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century AD, although the current structure was built by the kings of Garhwal in the 17th century.
The temple is open from April to November, and during this time, thousands of devotees visit it to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Lord Vishnu. The main deity in the temple is Lord Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan, who is depicted sitting in a meditative pose, holding a conch shell, a discus, and a mace.
Apart from its religious significance, Badrinath Temple is also known for its scenic beauty and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush green forests. It is also a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts who come here to trek, hike and explore the nearby areas.
Badrinath Yatra 2023
Badrinath Yatra begins in April or May and ends in November, with the temple remaining closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall. The doors of Badrinath Temple in Char Dham Yatra 2023 will be opened on 28 April 2023.
Some major facts and information about Badrinath Temple.
- Deity: Badrinath (Lord Vishnu)
- District: Chamoli
- State: Uttarakhand
- Elevation / Height: 3,300m (10,800 ft)
- Visitors / Year: More than 12 Lakh people visited Badrinath in 2019.
To go to Badrinath Yatra, devotees usually start from Haridwar or Rishikesh and make their way to Badrinath via Joshimath, which is the winter seat of Lord Badrinath. The Yatra involves a strenuous trek through the mountainous terrain, and it is advisable to be physically fit and well-prepared for the journey.
During the yatra, pilgrims can also visit other significant religious sites in the region, such as the Kedarnath Temple, the Gangotri Temple, and the Yamunotri Temple, which are collectively known as the Char Dham Yatra.
Meaning of Badrinath
According to Hindu legend, the god Vishnu sat in meditation at this place. During his meditation, Lord Vishnu was unaware of the cold weather. Goddess Lakshmi, his wife, protected him in the form of the Badri tree.
Pleased by the devotion of Goddess Lakshmi, God Vishnu named the place Badrika Ashram. Hence Goddess Lakshmi was called the “Badri Vishal” as a large Beri/jujube and Lord Vishnu as the “Badrinath” husband of Badri.
- The word “Badrinath” is derived from two words Badri and Nath.
- The meaning of “Badri” is Beri/Jujube which refers to Goddess Laxmi.
- And the meaning of “Nath” is the Lord or Husband which Refers to Lord Vishnu.
- Lord Vishnu is the Husband of Goddess Laxmi so Badrinath refers to Lord Vishnu.
According to Hinduism, people in Sanatan dharma believed that the sacred tour of this holy place opens up doorways to “moksha” or heaven.
Explore Badrinath
How to reach Badrinath Temple?
First of all, Badrinath Dham is easily approachable by motorable roads. And the Badrinath temple can be reached by walking along an easy trek. Furthermore, there is the village of Mana which is around 3 km from Badrinath. Mana is one of the last villages of India before the boundary of India ends. And then the boundary of Tibet begins.
The peak of Neelkanth mountain stands strong spreading its mighty aura for all pilgrims and travelers alike.
Badrinath is a land of multiple legends each one only adding to the glory of this place.
Along with these legends, the snowy mountain peaks, and gracefully flowing Alaknanda River make the environment adventurous. And the beautiful landscapes create the perfect background to emerge a spiritual connection between God and his devotees.
Badrinath is Positioned at an altitude of 3300 meters from sea level. Other than this, Badrinath Temple is set right at the shore of the Alaknanda River.
Char Dham Distance from Delhi
- Delhi to Kedarnath (466 km)
- Delhi to Badrinath (555 km)
- Delhi to Gangotri (530 km)
- Delhi to Yamunotri (485 km)
History of Badrinath
This shrine was established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the 8th century to give new life and energy to Hinduism. Therefore Badrinath is considered one of the most ancient temples after Kedarnath.
As per Hindu mythology, it was the first residence of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. After that, Lord Vishnu made Badrinath his own abode. According to Padam Puran, Lord Vishnu carried out rigorous penance at this place for thousands of years.
The incarnation of Nar Narayana, Goddess Lakshmi (his wife) saved him from rain and sun to be transfigured in bushes of berries. Hence, Badri (Berry) made this region famous as Badri Vishal.
Vishnu is the Nath (lord) of Lakshmi, thus, this place became popular as Badrinath. Other than this, It is said that after the battle of Mahabharata, Pandavas, and Draupadi revered this place as the hill to heaven.
Distance of some kilometers from this shrine, a cave is located in Mana village where sage Veda Vyasa wrote the great epic Mahabharata.
Complete History of Badrinath – Read Here