Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Badrinath—holy shrines for Vaishnavites. It is open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November), because of extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region. The temple is located in Garhwal hill tracks in Chamoli district along the banks of Alaknanda River at an elevation of 3,133 m (10,279 ft) above the mean sea level.
The image of the presiding deity worshipped in the temple is a 1 ft (0.30 m), the black stone statue of Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan. The statue is considered by many Hindus to be one of eight swayam vyakta kshetras, or self-manifested statues of Vishnu.
Mata Murti Ka Mela, which commemorates the descent of river Ganges on mother earth, is the most prominent festival celebrated in the Badrinath Temple. Although Badrinath is located in North India, the head priest, or Rawal, is traditionally a Nambudiri Brahmin chosen from the South Indian state of Kerala.
How to Reach Badrinath
By Flight
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Badrinath situated at a distance of 314 KM. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Badrinath is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Badrinath.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Badrinath is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 295 KM before Badrinath on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Badrinath is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Joshimath and many other destinations to Badrinath.
By Road
Badrinath is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Haridwar, Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Badrinath are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Ukhimath, Srinagar, Chamoli etc. Badrinath is connected with Ghaziabad by National Highway 58.
New Delhi to Badrinath distance is 529 KM and it takes 16 hours to reach by Taxi.
Rishikesh to Badrinath distance is 295 KM and it takes 11 hours to reach by Taxi.
Haridwar to Badrinath distance is 319 KM and it takes 11 hours 30 mins to reach by Taxi.
Dehradun to Badrinath distance is 334 KM and it takes 11 hours 45 mins to reach by Taxi.