About Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple is one of the four Char Dham shrines of India and part of Uttarakhand's Chota Char Dham yatra. It stands at about 3,133 metres on the banks of the Alaknanda river in Chamoli district, between the Nar and Narayan mountains, with the Neelkanth peak in the background. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Badri Narayan. It is also one of the 108 Divya Desams praised by the Alvar saints. The temple is open for about six months each year, from late April or May to November.
Legend says Vishnu came here to meditate, and Goddess Lakshmi shielded him from the harsh weather by taking the form of a badri (jujube) tree, giving the place its name. Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have recovered the sacred image from the Narad Kund in the Alaknanda and re-established the shrine in the 8th century. Following a tradition linked to him, the chief priest, the Rawal, is a Namboodiri Brahmin from Kerala. In winter, worship moves to Pandukeshwar and Joshimath.
The temple has a brightly painted facade with arched windows and a gold-gilded roof. The sanctum holds a black saligram stone image of Badri Narayan in a seated meditative pose, surrounded by other deities. Just below the temple is the Tapt Kund, a natural hot spring where pilgrims bathe before darshan.
Badrinath Temple timings & aarti
Seasonal: opens late Apr/May (date announced on Basant Panchami) and closes in Nov. During the season usually open about 4:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Maha Abhishek and Morning Puja | About 4:30 AM |
| Evening Aarti | Around sunset (approx.) |
| Shayan Aarti (Geet Govind) | About 8:30 PM |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Badrinath Temple
By air
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is about 315 km away.
By train
Rishikesh (Yog Nagari Rishikesh) is the nearest major railway station, about 295 km away.
By road
Badrinath is reachable by road all the way via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Joshimath; buses and taxis run in the yatra season.
Festivals at Badrinath Temple
- Kapat Opening (Doors Opening)Apr/May
- Mata Murti Ka MelaAug/Sep
- Kapat ClosingNov
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest traditional clothing recommended; carry warm clothes as it is cold even in summer.
- Entry
- Darshan is free; registration for the Char Dham Yatra with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory. Special pujas can be booked through the temple committee.
- Complete the mandatory Char Dham Yatra registration before travelling.
- Avoid driving the mountain road after dark and keep a buffer day for landslides.
- Take a dip in Tapt Kund before darshan, as is the custom.
- Visit Mana village, the last village before the Tibet border, just 3 km away.
- Carry warm clothes, rain gear and any personal medicines.
Places to visit near Badrinath Temple
- Tapt KundNatural hot spring just below the temple
- Brahma KapalGhat on the Alaknanda for ancestral rites, a short walk away
- Mana VillageLast Indian village near the border, with Vyas Gufa and Bhim Pul, about 3 km away
- Vasudhara FallsTall waterfall, a trek of about 5-6 km from Mana
Frequently asked questions
When does Badrinath Temple open?
It opens in late April or May each year; the date is announced on Basant Panchami. It closes in November.
What are the Badrinath temple timings?
During the season it is usually open from about 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Can you drive to Badrinath?
Yes, Badrinath is connected by road; no trek is needed, unlike Kedarnath.
Where is Lord Badrinath worshipped in winter?
In winter, worship continues at Pandukeshwar and at the Narsingh temple in Joshimath.
Is registration required for Badrinath?
Yes, Char Dham Yatra registration with the Uttarakhand government is mandatory.
What is the aarti time at Badrinath Temple?
Maha Abhishek and Morning Puja: About 4:30 AM; Evening Aarti: Around sunset (approx.); Shayan Aarti (Geet Govind): About 8:30 PM. Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Badrinath Temple?
Modest traditional clothing recommended; carry warm clothes as it is cold even in summer.
How to reach Badrinath Temple?
By air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is about 315 km away. By train: Rishikesh (Yog Nagari Rishikesh) is the nearest major railway station, about 295 km away. By road: Badrinath is reachable by road all the way via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Joshimath; buses and taxis run in the yatra season.
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