One of the four sites of the pan-India Char Dham and one of the 108 Divya Desams, dedicated to Vishnu as Badrinarayan, set beside the Alaknanda River in the high Himalayas.
One of the four sites of the pan-India Char Dham and one of the 108 Divya Desams, dedicated to Vishnu as Badrinarayan, set beside the Alaknanda River in the high Himalayas.
Badrinath's prominence in Vaishnava tradition is closely tied to Adi Shankaracharya, who is credited with reviving the site and establishing worship here in the 8th or 9th century CE, though the sacredness of the location is considered far older, referenced in early Puranic literature. The temple has been rebuilt and renovated multiple times over the centuries, particularly after damage from avalanches and earthquakes affecting this seismically active Himalayan region.
The temple has a conical roof over its sanctum with a gold-gilt canopy, distinct in silhouette from typical plains-temple shikharas, adapted to its high-altitude setting. A flight of steps leads to an arched main gate (Singh Dwar), opening into a colourfully painted mandapa leading to the sanctum, where the primary image of Badrinarayan is carved from black stone (shaligram).
Badrinath is named for the badri (wild berry) trees once said to have covered the area; in one telling, Lakshmi took the form of a badri tree to shelter Vishnu, who was performing penance here, from harsh weather. The site is associated with the sage Nara-Narayana performing austerities, and the nearby hot springs of Tapt Kund are believed to have therapeutic and purifying properties tied to this penance.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temple opening | 4:30 AM | — | Open | Seasonal (generally May to November) |
Morning darshan | 4:30 AM | 1:00 PM | Open | Main morning darshan session |
Midday Break | 1:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Closed | Temple remains closed for rituals |
Evening darshan | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Open | Evening worship and darshan |
Temple closing | — | 9:00 PM | Closed | Temple closes after Shayan Aarti |
Aarti | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Maha Abhishek | 4:30 AM | Paid Seva | Sacred ceremonial bathing of Lord Badri Vishal before public darshan |
Abhishek Pooja | 6:00 AM | Paid Seva | Morning ritual with Vedic chanting |
Geeta Path & Bhagavat Pooja | 8:00 AM | Paid Seva | Recitation of the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam |
Sandhya Aarti | 6:00 PM | Free | Evening lamp ceremony with devotional hymns |
Shayan Aarti | 8:30 PM | Free | Final worship before the temple closes |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 30–90 min | Walk-in |
Special Poojas | ₹500 onwards | Slot Based | Advance Booking |
Maha Abhishek | ₹4,700 onwards | Advance Reservation | Temple Committee |
Abhishek Pooja | ₹1,200 onwards | Advance Reservation | Temple Committee |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Maha Abhishek | Early Morning | ₹4,700 onwards | Elaborate ceremonial worship of Lord Badri Vishal |
Abhishek Pooja | Morning | ₹1,200 onwards | Sacred bathing ritual with Vedic chants |
Vishnu Sahasranama Archana | Morning | ₹500 onwards | Chanting of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu |
Srimad Bhagavat Seva | By Booking | ₹1,100 onwards | Recitation of sacred scriptures for blessings |
Akhanda Jyoti Seva | By Booking | ₹500 onwards | Offering for the eternal sacred lamp maintained in the temple |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Temple Opening Ceremony | April–May | The annual reopening of the shrine after winter with elaborate Vedic rituals, attracting thousands of pilgrims. |
Badri-Kedar Utsav | June | Cultural and devotional festival featuring classical music, spiritual programs, and special temple ceremonies. |
Mata Murti Ka Mela | August–September | Celebrates the mother of Lord Narayana with special processions, prayers, and religious festivities. |
Janmashtami | August–September | Grand celebrations of Lord Krishna's birth with bhajans, special alankarams, and devotional worship. |
Vijayadashami | September–October | Marks the beginning of preparations for the temple's seasonal closure with special rituals. |
Deepavali & Closing Ceremony | October–November | The temple is beautifully illuminated before the sacred idol is ceremonially shifted to Pandukeshwar for winter worship. |
Akhanda Jyoti Ceremony | October–November | A sacred lamp is lit before the temple closes for winter and is believed to continue burning until the shrine reopens the following year. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Mishri Prasadam | ₹30–₹60 | Rock sugar blessed at the temple |
Chana Dal Prasadam | ₹30–₹60 | Roasted gram offered as sacred prasadam |
Tulasi Mala | ₹50–₹100 | Blessed Tulasi garland |
Panchamrit | ₹30–₹50 | Sacred mixture used during worship |
Charanamrit | Free | Sacred holy water distributed after darshan |
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~317 km). Nearest railhead: Rishikesh. From Rishikesh/Haridwar, travel by road via Joshimath, the last major town before Badrinath.
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📍 Badrinath Temple, Badrinath, Chamoli, Uttarakhand 246422
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Badrinath.
Search Hotels on Booking.comBadrinath town and nearby Joshimath have GMVN guesthouses, ashrams and private hotels, with availability tightening considerably in peak season.
Mana village (the last Indian village on this route), Vasudhara Falls, and the Neelkanth peak viewpoint are all near Badrinath.
