Badrinath Temple in Chamoli, That Really Made Everyone Proud
Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in the town of Badrinath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is considered one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. Badrinath Temple draws large numbers of pilgrims each year, thus becoming the most important hub of religious travel in the whole of Northern India.
The temple is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,133 meters above sea level. This sacred town lies between Nar and Narayana mountain ranges. The temple complex includes the main shrine of Lord Vishnu, along with several smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities. According to Hindu mythology, the temple is said to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century, and it is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu meditated before heading to Kedarnath.
Badrinath temple history
The history of the Badrinath Temple Uttarakhand dates back to ancient times and is closely linked with Hindu mythology. According to Hindu beliefs, Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities of the Hindu pantheon, meditated in the area where the temple is located. The legend goes that Lord Vishnu was deeply saddened by the suffering of humanity and decided to come to earth in human form to help alleviate their pain. He took the form of a sage named Nar-Narayan and performed intense penance at the site of the temple.
It is also believed that the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, visited this area during their exile and built a shrine at this location. The current temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya, a renowned Hindu philosopher and theologian, in the 9th century. He is credited with reviving Hinduism and establishing various spiritual centers across India.
Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several renovations and repairs due to natural disasters and attacks by invaders. The temple complex was damaged in the 1803 earthquake, and it was later reconstructed by the king of Jaipur. In the 20th century, the temple was renovated and restored to its present form by the initiative of the Kedarnath-Badrinath Temple Committee.
Badrinath Dham Yatra
The Badrinath Dham Yatra is a pilgrimage journey to the Badrinath Temple, one of the four holy shrines in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Yatra is a part of the Char Dham Yatra, which also includes the Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri temples. The Yatra usually begins in April or May and continues till November.
The journey to Badrinath Temple Uttarakhand is considered highly significant in Hinduism and is believed to help pilgrims attain spiritual enlightenment and blessings from Lord Vishnu. The Yatra is a challenging journey and requires a certain level of physical fitness, as it involves trekking and traveling through mountainous terrain.
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The Yatra starts from Haridwar, which is considered the gateway to the Char Dham Yatra. From Haridwar, pilgrims travel to the town of Joshimath and then to Badrinath Temple. The journey to Badrinath includes a trek to Mana Village, which is the last village before the Indo-Tibetan border.
During the Yatra, pilgrims take a holy dip in the Tapt Kund, a natural hot spring believed to have medicinal properties, and perform various rituals and prayers at the Badrinath Temple Uttarakhand. The temple is adorned with beautiful sculptures and paintings and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. The Badrinath Dham Yatra is a spiritually enriching experience and attracts thousands of devotees each year from across India and abroad.
Badrinath temple trek
The trek to the Badrinath Temple Uttarakhand is a popular pilgrimage route in India. The best time to go for the trek is from May to June and from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the trek is open for devotees. The trek to Badrinath starts from the town of Joshimath, which is well connected by road and rail. From Joshimath, the trek is a distance of around 23 km and takes approximately 2 days to complete. There are several stops along the way where you can rest and stay overnight.
The trek is of moderate difficulty, with steep climbs and descents. It is important to be physically fit and carry all necessary equipment and supplies, including trekking boots, warm clothes, and water. There are several rest houses and campsites along the trek route where you can stay overnight. While on the trek, you can also visit the nearby Valley of Flowers National Park and Hemkund Sahib, which are popular tourist destinations.
Hotels near Badrinath temple
There are several hotels and accommodations available near the Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, India. Some options are- Hotel Narayan Palace: This hotel is located just 1 km from Badrinath Temple and offers a range of comfortable rooms and amenities. GMVN Tourist Rest House: This is a budget accommodation option that is operated by the state government. It is located just 1.5 km from the Badrinath Temple. Hotel Snow Crest: This hotel is located 2 km from the temple and offers well-appointed rooms with modern amenities.
Sarovar Portico Badrinath: This hotel is a luxury option located 1.5 km from the temple. It offers spacious rooms and suites with mountain views. The Tattva Resort: This is a boutique resort located 1 km from the temple. It offers well-furnished rooms with modern amenities and a beautiful mountain view.
Badrinath temple tour packages
Visit to Badrinath is a wonderful experience and there are many tour operators that offer Badrinath temple Uttarakhand tour packages, which usually include transportation, accommodation, and guided tours. Some popular Badrinath temple tour packages-
Badrinath Yatra Package: This package usually includes transportation, accommodation, and guided tours of Badrinath, along with other nearby attractions like Mana Village, Vasudhara Falls, and Tapt Kund. Char Dham Yatra Package: This package covers all four Char Dham pilgrimage sites, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It includes transportation, accommodation, and guided tours of each destination.
Do Dham Yatra Package: This package covers two of the Char Dham sites, including Badrinath and Kedarnath. It includes transportation, accommodation, and guided tours of each destination. Hemkund Sahib Package: This package is for those who want to visit the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, which is located near Badrinath. It includes transportation, accommodation, and guided tours of both Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath. Adventure Package: For those who enjoy trekking and adventure activities, there are packages that include trekking to Badrinath, along with other activities like river rafting, camping, and rock climbing.
How to reach Badrinath temple Uttarakhand
The nearest airport to Badrinath is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is approximately 317 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Badrinath. The nearest railway station to Badrinath is in Rishikesh, which is about 296 km away.
Badrinath temple Uttarakhand is well-connected by road to major cities in India. You can take a bus or hire a taxi from cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun to reach Badrinath. The road to Badrinath is a scenic drive with beautiful views of the mountains. Helicopter services are also available from Dehradun and Phata to reach Badrinath.
