Badrinath Dham is ranked amongst the oldest and is considered as the most revered places amongst Hindus. Comfortably situated along the right bank of the majestic river Alaknanda, at an altitude measuring 3133 m above sea level, the dham or the heavenly abode, stands protected by indomitable mountain peaks named Nar and Narain on the either side, with an impressively lofty Neelkanth mountain peak offering a resplendent background altogether. The shrine is also known by the name of Vishal Badri, the biggest amongst five Badris, and is a true homage to Lord Vishnu, postured in meditative mood or the padmasan. Other of four Badris includes Bhavishya Badri, Yogdhyan Badri, Bridha Badri and Adi badri respectively.

Badrinath Temple was originally built by King Pururava, and none other than the great artisan of gods, Vishwakarma, artistically carved it. Much later in 8th century, well-known Hindu reformist Adi Shankaracharya re-enshrined the temple. The temple architecture puts a fabulous semblance for the eyes of the on looker. It is divided into three segments namely the 'Garbha Griha' or the sanctum sanctorum, the 'Darshan Mandap' the Ritual Hall and the 'Sabha Mandap' or the Devotees Assembly Hall. The whole temple complex has 15-idols, of which the statue of Lord Badri or Vishnu, subtly chiseled from Black stone, simply catches the imagination by awe and reverence.

Badrinath Temple is opened every year in April and May, and closes in third week of November. The temple is opened for the devotees from 0430 hrs till 1300 hrs. It opens again from 1600 hrs to 2100 hrs after the Rawal recites Geet Govind. Rawal is the celibate temple administrator or the Pujari who is well versed in performing special morning prayers, Abhishek and Mahaabhishek; and evening Pujas such as Aarti and Geet Govind in Sanskrit respectively. The individual devotees can also carry out sacred oblation. And every Puja ceremony must be carried out only after taking holy dip in Tapta Kund.

Mana, the last village on the Indian side, before the Tibetan border, lies 3 km north of Badrinath. With the onset of winters, the villagers of Mana offer a choli to lord Badri to protect the deity from the frigid weather conditions. As the summer strikes, the residents unwind the choli and distribute the fires of the choli to pilgrims as maha prasadam. Badrinath’s winter deity or the Joshimath is yet again a fabulous place for divine recluse.

Badrinath Kedarnath Dham Tour Package