Badrinath
Garhwal's Queen
General Information
District: Chamoli, State: Uttarakhand, India
Area: 3 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Garhwali, English
Long Distance Code: +91-1381
Importance: One of the four dhams in India
Best Time to Visit: May to September
Description
Badrinath is one of the four Dhams; a devout Hindu has to visit in his lifetime to attain salvation. One of Hinduism's holiest sites, it was founded by Sri Shankaracharya, in the ninth century. The temple, also known as Badri Narayan, is dedicated to Vishnu, who is said to have done penance in the mythical Brindavan that once covered the mountains of Uttarakhand. <br />Known as 'Tapobhumi', a land of meditation and penance, and 'Bhubaikunth', heaven on earth, it is surrounded on either side, by two mountain ranges known as Nar and Narayan, with the Neelkanth peak, providing a spectacular backdrop. Facing the Badrinath temple is a hot water spring, known as 'Tapt Kund'. Other famous springs, here, are the Narad Kund and the Surya Kund. <br />Badrinath is presided over by a Namboothiri Brahman from Kerala, the Rawal, who also acts as the head priest for Kedarnath.<br />Location
Situated on the right banks of the river Alakananda in the northern province of Uttar Pradesh, Badrinath is couched within the two mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan, with the Neelkanth peak on the background. It is located in the northern district of Chamoli and the nearest cities are Rishikesh (300 km), Mussourie and Dehradun.
On the banks of the river Alaknanda, are many natural hot water springs, where people bathe before they enter the temples.
The Mana village is the last village of India on the Indo-Tibet border hardly 3 kms away fro Badrinath. Set up by the Indo-Mongolian tribe, this village has a population of 200 people only. These hardworking people live a dual family life when half the year they stay in mountains and half of it they spend on the plains. The people have kept alive their age old tradition and culture and hardly mix with the others. Earlier this tribe used to have their own trade relations with Tibet, but not anymore due to the strained relationship of the both the countries.
A short distance from Mana Village stands a natural bridge made of a huge boulder over the River Saraswati. Legend goes that Bheem, one of the Pandava brothers put it there. The view of this extraordinary bridge and the din of the flowing river makes this place interesting.
5 km after Bheem Bridge is this astonishingly high waterfall, which is very attractive. The most interesting aspect is that due to its high fall the water descending down gets vapourised giving an impact as if Goddess Ganges is descending down from the heavens.
Satopanth Lake is 18 km from Mana Village amidst the difficult areas of Himalayas. The water in the lake is very calm. On the banks of this lake are innumerable lotus flowers. To get here one has to come via Lakshmi Forest. To return from here to Badrinath on foot it takes 3 days.
Pandukesar 20 km from Badrinath, this is a memorial for the Pandavas. Two temples here have intricate carvings. This village is quite big. During the season one finds huge crowds here.
This is 2 km before Pandukesar and is the gateway for the Hem Kund Lake and the internationally well-known Valley of the Flowers. The Hem Kund Saheb is 20 km by foot from here. There we find a Sikh Temple and some hotels. The Valley of the Flowers is a 17 km walk.
13 km before Badrinath this temple is situated in a village. Nearby is a nursery of the rare birch tree.
As soon as you cross the bridge on the Alaknanda River from Hanuman Chatti to Benakuli, this extremely beautiful valley comes into view. 4 km from here is the Kheerau village where the local people stay for 4-5 months. Many other interesting spots are there about the village like Tatapani, Unyani Lake etc.
On the Valley of Flowers Road, a 20 km trek from a village called Bhyundar is a vast lake, the beauty of which is amazing. Since getting here is very difficult, very few tourists are found here.
42 km from Badrinath this place is set to have been visited in the 18th century by Shankaracharya from the state of Kerala. He meditated here and founded a Mutt called Jyotir math or Joshimath. Here orchards of apples, apricots, peaches and lemon have to be seen to be believed. Many hotels and tourist bungalows are available to stay.
Chardham Yatra / PI-0319 (13 Days / 12 Nights)
Haridwar-Rishikesh-Barkot-Yamnotri-Barkot-Harsil-Gangotri-Harsil-Guptakashi-Kedarnath-Guptakashi-Badrinath-Srinagar-Rishikesh-Delhi
Considered to be the most renowned and spiritual expedition, the chardhan yatra includes visits to the four main Hindu shrines of India that include Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and finally, the Badrinath shrine. On the way, experience the astonishing views of Himalayan peaks that proudly reflect the legends and history beholding these sacred shrines.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Haridwar - Rishikesh
Day 2 : Rishikesh - Barkot
Day 3 : Barkot - Yamnotri - Barkot
Day 4 : Barkot - Harsil
Day 5 : Harsil - Gangotri - Harsil
Day 6 : Harsil - Guptakashi
Day 7 : Guptakashi - Kedarnath
Day 8 : Kedarnath - Guptakashi
Day 9 : Guptakashi-Badrinath
Day 10 : Badrinath
Day 11 : Badrinath - Srinagar
Day 12 : Srinagar - Rishikesh
Day 13 : Rishikesh - Delhi
Haridwar-Rishikesh-Barkot-Yamnotri-Barkot-Harsil-Gangotri-Harsil-Guptakashi-Kedarnath-Guptakashi-Badrinath-Srinagar-Rishikesh-Delhi
Considered to be the most renowned and spiritual expedition, the chardhan yatra includes visits to the four main Hindu shrines of India that include Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and finally, the Badrinath shrine. On the way, experience the astonishing views of Himalayan peaks that proudly reflect the legends and history beholding these sacred shrines.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Haridwar - Rishikesh
Day 2 : Rishikesh - Barkot
Day 3 : Barkot - Yamnotri - Barkot
Day 4 : Barkot - Harsil
Day 5 : Harsil - Gangotri - Harsil
Day 6 : Harsil - Guptakashi
Day 7 : Guptakashi - Kedarnath
Day 8 : Kedarnath - Guptakashi
Day 9 : Guptakashi-Badrinath
Day 10 : Badrinath
Day 11 : Badrinath - Srinagar
Day 12 : Srinagar - Rishikesh
Day 13 : Rishikesh - Delhi
Badrinath Yatra / PI-0515 (6 Days / 5 Nights)
Delhi-Haridwar-Rudraprayag-Badrinath-Rishikesh-Haridwar-Delhi
India is a land of spiritualism and religion. Get into the feel of this spirit by going onto this tour that takes you across some of the most revered pilgrimage spots of India- Haridwar, Rudraprayag, Badrinath and Rishikesh. Set amidst some of the most serene and beautiful locations of the country, the places act as a soothing balm for both your visual as well as your inner spiritual senses.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Haridwar - Rudraprayag
Day 3 : Rudraprayag - Badrinath
Day 4 : Badrinath - Rishikesh
Day 5 : Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
Day 6 : Delhi
Delhi-Haridwar-Rudraprayag-Badrinath-Rishikesh-Haridwar-Delhi
India is a land of spiritualism and religion. Get into the feel of this spirit by going onto this tour that takes you across some of the most revered pilgrimage spots of India- Haridwar, Rudraprayag, Badrinath and Rishikesh. Set amidst some of the most serene and beautiful locations of the country, the places act as a soothing balm for both your visual as well as your inner spiritual senses.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Haridwar - Rudraprayag
Day 3 : Rudraprayag - Badrinath
Day 4 : Badrinath - Rishikesh
Day 5 : Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
Day 6 : Delhi
Valley of Flowers Adventure Trekking / PI-062 (13 Days / 12 Nights)
Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Joshimath-Govindghat-Ghangaria-Valley of Flowers-Ghangaria-Hemkund Lake-Ghangaria-Govindghat-Badrinath-Auli-Joshimath-Haridwar-Delhi-Agra-Delhi
The valley of Flowers, a natural wonder, declared as protected national Park, came into lime light only in the 1930s. The vibrancy of colours and fragrance that is found in abundance here is what allures tourists from all over the world. This unique rock garden, the Valley of Flowers, of Garhwal is full of the most fascinating, fabulous and rich variety of flowering herbs. According to the legends, the Valley of Flowers has been associated spiritually with the name of ''Hanuman'', the legendary hero of Ramayana, the great Indian epic. This itinerary is specially designed for those who would like to combine adventure and beauty of nature.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh
Day 4 : Rishikesh - Joshimath
Day 5 : Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria
Day 6 : Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangaria
Day 7 : Ghangaria - Hemkund Lake - Ghangaria
Day 8 : Ghangaria - Govindghat - Badrinath
Day 9 : Badrinath - Auli
Day 10 : Auli-Joshimath-Haridwar-Delhi
Day 11 : Delhi
Day 12 : Delhi - Agra - Delhi
Day 13 : Delhi
Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Joshimath-Govindghat-Ghangaria-Valley of Flowers-Ghangaria-Hemkund Lake-Ghangaria-Govindghat-Badrinath-Auli-Joshimath-Haridwar-Delhi-Agra-Delhi
The valley of Flowers, a natural wonder, declared as protected national Park, came into lime light only in the 1930s. The vibrancy of colours and fragrance that is found in abundance here is what allures tourists from all over the world. This unique rock garden, the Valley of Flowers, of Garhwal is full of the most fascinating, fabulous and rich variety of flowering herbs. According to the legends, the Valley of Flowers has been associated spiritually with the name of ''Hanuman'', the legendary hero of Ramayana, the great Indian epic. This itinerary is specially designed for those who would like to combine adventure and beauty of nature.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi
Day 3 : Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh
Day 4 : Rishikesh - Joshimath
Day 5 : Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria
Day 6 : Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangaria
Day 7 : Ghangaria - Hemkund Lake - Ghangaria
Day 8 : Ghangaria - Govindghat - Badrinath
Day 9 : Badrinath - Auli
Day 10 : Auli-Joshimath-Haridwar-Delhi
Day 11 : Delhi
Day 12 : Delhi - Agra - Delhi
Day 13 : Delhi
Badrinath, India Tours
