The Badrinath Temple is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand and is visited by millions of pilgrims annually. This prime sacred temple is known as Shree Badrinath Temple, one of the Char Dham Yatra, located at a gigantic elevation of 10,279 feet to admire the architectural brilliance and the work of nature. The temple is one of the most revered and sought-after pilgrimage centres having historical mythological and religious relations. This guide has in a more detailed manner analyses the historical background and region.
About
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Sri Badrinath Mahadev Temple is one of the 12 foremost shrines of Lord Vishnu and is revered as a Jewel in the crown of Spiritual India for Hindus. Being one of the most famous and ancient temples of Hindu mythology, it is visited by several pilgrims from India as well as from other parts of the world. The temple is located at an altitude of 10,279 ft, also known as Shree Badrinath Temple, and it has an exquisite location surrounded by mountains and valleys.
Location
The temple is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is nested in the Garhwal Himalayas. Located at 10,279 feet from sea level it is appealing; this Shiv temple is located between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges. The beautiful ALAKNANDA RIVER passes closely by adding beauty to the area. The temple is well connected to different parts of Uttarakhand and delivers both dividends, religious for the devotees and natural for the travellers.
How To Reach
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By Road: Taxis and normal buses ply from Badrinath to the other parts of the state like Rishikesh and Haridwar.
By Train: The nearest railheads are situated in Rishikesh which is approximately 295 kilometres from Badrinath and from here travellers can hire buses and taxis.
By Air: Dehradun airport is the closest away from Mussoorie at around 314 kilometres, from where roads can be hired.
Places To Visit In And Around Badrinath Temple
1. Tapt Kund
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Brahma Kapal, a serene riverside location near the temple for sacred rituals.
Tapt Kund is a natural hot spring, which is 1km from the temple and has awesome importance from a religious and medicinal healing point of view. The Tapt Kund is said to have been touched by the Waters of Lord Agni, a God of Fire which is why the water of Tapt Kund is hot. It is found that the pilgrims use the water from this site to bathe to wash their bodies as well as souls before getting into the temple.
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2. Charan Paduka
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Charan Paduka is another impression marked on a rock and the site is situated at a small trekking distance from the famous Badrinath Temple. Devotees of this religion believe that these are imprints of gods hence obtaining mystical value at this point of pilgrimage. Charan Paduka trek is uphill through groves and picturesque landscape of valleys and mountains which makes this experience so exciting and enjoyable for every pilgrim or trek-lover.
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3. Brahma Kapal
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Brahma Kapal is a popular praying place famous for funeral rites just by the bank of the Alaknanda River many families go to pray for their dead relatives. For this reason, its importance is anchored on the understanding that it is a place where Lord Brahma dwells, and provides the faithful with a way of touching their roots. Apu visits Brahma Kapal and the site has also religious importance due to the ‘shradh’ rituals of pilgrims.
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4. Mana Village
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Mana Village is 3 km away from the temple and it is the last human-settled village in the district on the Indo-Tibetan border. Most famous for its colourful culture and traditional buildings, this picturesque village is living proof of indigenous architecture. Tourism in the village consists of significant attractions such as the cave which is supposed to have been occupied by the Vyas and the cave which was supposed to have been occupied by Ganesh while writing the Mahabharata.
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5. Vasudhara Falls
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Located 5 km from Mana Village, Vasudhara Falls is one of the most wonderful waterfalls with a probability of about 400 ft. To get to this wonderful place you need to take a rather demanding hike, during which you’re to admire glaciers and stunning peaks. It is a folklore belief that the falls are lucky and only individuals with a clean conscience can view the waterfall directly. Anaconda is one of the most visited locations, comprising cool and crystal clear water and a calm environment. Vasudhara Falls is free from crowds and tourists near Badrinath and is famous for adventure as well as religious values.
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Where To Stay
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Citizens and foreigners who visit the temple will find a guesthouse to hotel accommodation according to their pocket. Some of these are ideally situated close to the temple, making them easily accessible, and they have wonderful sights of the Himalayas. Some facilities are offered, general facilities are also available for the pilgrims, and for accommodation, there are several government-owned guest houses to cater to the needs of the travellers.
Where To Eat
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It is a small office canteen and it provides only vegetarian food as the temple’s name, Badrinath, suggests spirituality. There are several local restaurants and dhabas around the temple where pilgrims can have North Indian food such as Thalis, rice, Chapatis, etc. Several of them also undertake to offer food for tourists as this makes it very easy for them. In most cases, slight addition of spices is considered with a lot of emphasis being placed on Sattvic food that will enable the pilgrims to have a peaceful journey.
Best Time To Visit
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The temple can be visited through the better half of the year that is from May to October in general. This period favors movement without compounded stress and the temple is easily accessible by road. The weather is quite cool to qualify as pleasant, which makes it suitable for both hiking and pilgrimages. Interstate travel is equally convenient although during the monsoon period, roads may prove difficult because of landslides. Guests should look up opening dates as this temple is closed for winter because the area is heavily covered with snow.
Other Factors To Consider
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Average Cost Of The Trip: There are numerous excursions for about ₹5,000-7,000 taking into consideration accommodation and transportation.
With the knowledge about the basic travelling information about Badrinath Temple and nearby places now it’s time to plan a spiritual trip to Uttarakhand. Having a divine environment, great view, and the greatest historical background in Hindu mythology, the temple is fascinating. Begin your pilgrimage journey with a reliable and comfortable travel package from TripXL that will give you an experience of serenity at this holy site.
Cover Photo: Shitha Valsan / Wikimedia Commons