Badrinath Temple | Timings, History & Accommodation

Badrinath Temple is a Hindu shrine temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It had situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is one of India’s temples that form the Char Dham pilgrimage. The temple morning timings are 6 am to 12 pm, and the evening timings are 4 pm to 9 pm.

This temple is also a part of the 108 Divyadeshas dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Badrinath temple had surrounded by two peaks called Nar and Narayana.

The peaks symbolize the twin forms of Lord Vishnu. Neelakanta Mountain is in the background of the temple. The temple is open from April to November.

History of Badrinath Temple:

The history of the Badrinath temple dates back many centuries. There is no historical record of the Badrinath temple. Vedic scriptures say the origin of the temple.

Badrinath Temple

Accordingly, the temple was a Buddhist site till the 8th century. Adi Shankara converted it into a Hindu temple. The architecture of this temple is similar to that of a Buddhist temple. It has led to many arguments about its origin.

 According to Skanda Purana, this temple had first established by Adi Sankara. Alaknanda installed a black idol of Lord Vishnu on the banks of the river. He set it in a cave near Tapt Kund, later known as Badrinath Temple.

Badrinath Temple Timings:

The temple morning timings are 6 am to 12 pm, and the evening timings are 4 pm to 9 pm.

DaysMorning TimingsEvening Timings
Monday6 am to 12 pm4 pm to 9 pm
Tuesday6 am to 12 pm4 pm to 9 pm
Wednesday6 am to 12 pm4 pm to 9 pm
Thursday6 am to 12 pm4 pm to 9 pm
Friday6 am to 12 pm4 pm to 9 pm
Saturday6 am to 12 pm4 pm to 9 pm
Sunday6 am to 12 pm4 pm to 9 pm

Adi Shankaracharya Founded Badrinath Temple: 

A traditional story is that Shankara expelled all Buddhists from the region. Descendants of King Kanak Pal ruled this temple for years. The villagers’ income had used to provide food & accommodation to the pilgrims. 

Before going to the temple, the king enjoyed obeisance from the devotees. According to a legend, Lord Shiva selected this place for his penance. However, Vishnu wanted the place for himself.

So, he assumed the form of a little boy and started crying on the rocks. The request of Lord Shiva and Parvati did not appease him. Hence, at the request of Parvati, Lord Shiva left for Kedarnath for his penance.

Another myth says that Lord Vishnu sat in meditation at this place. During meditation, Vishnu does not know cold weather. 

Goddess Lakshmi gave him protection and shelter as a Badri tree. Lord Vishnu, pleased with Lakshmi’s devotion, named the place Badrika Ashram. 

Why is Badrinath Famous? 

The idol of Lord Vishnu in the temple is Swayambhu. It is one of the eight self-manifested idols of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath is one of the Char Dham Pilgrimages in India. It is also a role of the 108 Divyadesa dedicated to Vishnu. 

It is said in the Vamana Purana that sages Nara and Narayana performed penance here. ‘Nara’ and ‘Narayana’ are the dual form of Lord Vishnu’s 5th incarnation. 

It had also believed that Narada attained moksha at the Narada Rock at Badrinath. Great sages like Kapil Muni, Gautama, and Kashyapa also did penance here.

Badrinath Temple is a part of Panch Badri Temples. Bhavishya Badri, Yog Dhyan Badri, Adi Badri and Vriddha Badri are other temples. The holy river Saraswati also stems from a glacier near Badrinath. 

The water in Tapt Kund, a hot spring, is said to have medicinal properties. Bathing in the pot cures many diseases. Skanda Purana states that many holy shrines exist in Heaven, earth, and hell. But there is no sanctum like Badrinath.

It is one of the numerous visited pilgrimage centres in India. Lakhs of devotees visit this Yatra every year.

Poojas and Sevas at Badrinath Temple:

The self-manifested inscription of Vishnu had been worshipped religiously. Pujas and services are performed twice a day in the temple. Here are the different types of services and pujas that take place inside the Badrinath Temple: 

Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah Path:

It is a special puja performed at the request of the temple. This puja lasts for seven days and is in honour of Lord Krishna. There are 18000 Mantras in Srimad Bhagwat Katha.

A yagam had performed on the last day of the puja. Doing this pooja removes fear and misfortune from life.

Vishnu Sahasranama: 

It is a prayer of 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. Each name represents a different attribute of Lord Vishnu. 

Vedic Path:

 It is the Recitation of verses from the four Vedas – Rig, Yajur Sam, and Atharva. 

Gita Path:

The entire Srimad Bhagavad Gita had chanted before the deity. 

Akhanda Jyothi:

This temple is not for pilgrims on Vijaya Dashami. On the last day, the priests lit the lamp with special ghee from our village.

This lamp stays lit for six months. People can visit Badrinath temple for free. Devotees can also perform some special pujas or aartis. 

Festivals Celebrated at Badrinath Temple:

Some of the festivals observed at Badrinath Temple are: 

Badri-Kedar Festival: 

The festival usually takes place in June. Artists from all over Uttarakhand will showcase their musical talent. They dedicate it to Vishnu and Shiva. This festival lasts for eight days.

Mata Murthy Mela:

A large fair had held every September at Badrinath Temple. On this day, the coming of the river Ganga to the earth had celebrated.

This day is in honour of Mata Murthy, mother of Nar & Narayana. Devotees believe that she divided the river Ganga into 12 channels. 

Janmashtami:

This festival celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna (the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu). It takes place in August or September. Devotees perform many processions for Lord Krishna on this day.

Dress Code at Badrinath Temple:

The Badrinath Temple had situated in the backdrop of the Neelakanta Mountains. The climate is cool throughout the year.

There are frequent rains and snowfalls. Hence, you should wear proper winter clothing with mufflers and gloves. It would help if you also carried an umbrella. 

Tourist places nearby Badrinath Temple:

Some of the temples near Badrinath Temple: 

Gangotri Temple:

Gangotri Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This temple had located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state.

It had an altitude of 3,100 meters in the Himalayan Range on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.

Adi Badri: 

It is the 2nd of the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. When the Badrinath temple closed for winter, devotees worship Lord Vishnu at the Adi Badri temple.

There is a 1-meter-high idol of Lord Vishnu in the temple’s sanctum. It had been carved out of black stone. 

Vriddha Badri: 

It is the 3rd of the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. Devotees believe Adisankaracharya worshipped Badrinath here before taking him to the main temple. Vriddha Badri Temple is open to pilgrims throughout the year. 

Bhavishya Badri: 

It is the 4th of the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. According to belief, Lord Badri resides in Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kali Yuga.

The area’s name means ‘Future Badri’, indicating that Badri is the future abode of the Lord. 

Yogadhyan Badri: 

It is the 5th of the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. According to legend, the Pandavas were born here, and Pandu attained moksha here.

Yogadhyan Badri has a bronze incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Devotees think that Pandu installed this image. The image shows Badri Dhyanam (dhyana). Hence, this field came to be known as ‘Yoga-dhyan’ Badri. 

Dhyan Badri: 

It is the 6th of the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. It has an idol of Lord Vishnu, established by Urvashi. This Lord Vishnu has four arms made of black stone.

It is also in a meditative posture. Ardha Badri: This is the 7th of the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. The Vishnu idol here is small compared to other temples.

Hotels nearby Badrinath Temple:

Some of the places to stay near Badrinath Temple: 

New Snow Crest: 

The hotel is just 1.7 km from the city centre. The hotel has a grand entrance. Your car can arrive at the doorstep of the hotel.

Rooms had equipped with facilities like hot water, heater etc. The temple is less than 1 km away. 

Narayan Palace: 

This resort is situated at the foot of the hill and on the banks of the Alaknanda River. Rooms had equipped with facilities like hot water, heater etc.

The window view from the hotel room is amazing. The staff at this hotel are courteous, and the food is delicious. 

Sarovar Portico Badrinath: 

Sarovar Portico is a household name. They are known for their good and courteous staff. The hotel has beautiful infrastructure.

The window view of the hotel is amazing. You can easily relax there while watching the mountains and the people on the streets.

Badrinath Temple Contact Details:

  • Address: Badrinath Temple Road, Badrinath Chamoli District, Uttarakhand 246422, Joshimath, India
  • Phone Number: +91-8826366174
  • Badrinath Temple: Official Website

How to Reach Badrinath Temple? 

By Air:

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, at a distance of 314 km.

By Rail: 

The nearest railway station is Rishikesh station (295 km away). 

By Road: 

New Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh can reach by bus. 

FAQs:

Where is Badrinath temple?

The temple had located in Garhwal hill tracts along the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. 

What is the height of Badrinath temple? 

It had an altitude of 3,133 meters above sea level in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state. 

What is the distance from Kedarnath Temple to Badrinath Temple? 

The distance from Kedarnath temple to Badrinath temple is 223.7 km

Who built the Badrinath temple?

The temple had originally built by Jagad Adisankaracharya in the 8th century A.D. and is adjacent to the site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas.

Badrinath opening and closing date in 2023

Badrinath Temple was opened on 9th May 2023 (tentative) and will be closed on 21st Nov 2023 

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