On the Right Bank of river Alaknanda lies the sacred shrine perched at an altitude of 3133 m above sea level, guarded on either side by the two mountains peak Har & Narain with the towering Neelkanth peak providing a splendid backdrop. Also known as Vishal Badri the largest among the five Badris, it is revered by all as the apt tribute to Lord Vishnu. Badrinath Temple built by Adi Shankaracharya the philosopher – saint of the 8th century, the temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches and restored in the 19th century by the royal houses of Scindia & Holkar. The main entrance gate is colorful & imposing popularly known as Singhdwar. References to Sri Badrinath here been made in the Vedas & perhaps it was a popular shrine during the Vedic age also. The Skand Puran gives an account of Adiguru consecrating the idol of Lord Badri Vishal in the temple after recovering it from Narad Kund, in a pursuance of a divine call from heaven. The idol is made of black stone similar to granite. So holy is the shrine that it forms one of the four prominent places of Hindu worship. The epic Mahabharat, it is believed, was composed in the Vyas & Ganesh Caves close by. The Vishnu Ganga, which later becomes the Alakananda, flows below the temple. Almost 3 km north of Badrinath, Mana in the last Indian village before the Tibetan borders. The Vasundhara falls are quite spectacular. On the closing day, the residents of Mana offer a choli to the deity to cover the deity all the winter. It is taken off on the opening day & its fibres are distributed amongst the yatris as Maha Prasadam. Joshimath is the winter deity of Badrinath.

The reverted spot was once carpeted with wild berries, which gave it the name `Badri Van' meaning 'forest of berries'. The temple opens every year in the month April-May & closes for winters in the third week of November.

Badrinath,' four subsidiary Badris include Bhavishya Badri, Yogdhyan Badri, Bridha Badri & Adi Badri, called Panch Badris.

BADRINATH TEMPLE

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull & spire. Legend dares the temple prior to Vedic age and the original temple is believed to be built by king Pururava and the icon of the lord carved by Vishwakarma, the creator of gods. A Hindu reformist Adi Shankaracharya re-enshrined the temple back in 8th century.

A flight of steps takes pilgrims to the main gate & then into the temple. The temple is divided into three parts –the (Garbha Griha' or sanctum sanctorum, the Darshan Mandap' where devotees assemble. The Garbhgriha portion has its canopy covered with a sheer of gold offered by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The complex has 15 idols. Especially attractive is the one-meter high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative pose – Padmasan Posture.

Special pujas are also performed on behalf of individuals. Every puja must be preceded by a holy dip in the Tapta Kund. Some of the special morning pujas are Abhishek, Mahabhishek, and Geeta Path. Some special evening pujas are Aarti & Geet Govind. Such pujas are to be booked in advance. The temple opens at 0430 hrs & closes at 1300 hrs. Once again it opens at 1600 hrs & closes at 2100 hrs.after the divine song Geet Govind. Rawal is the Administrator- Pujari of the temple well versed in puja ceremonials & Sanskrit language and is expected to be celibate. Nearby is a 'math' set up by Adi Shanakaracharya.

The opening day of the temple is decided with a brief ceremony on the auspicious day of Basant Panchmi, which normally falls during last week or 1st week of May. Special significance is attached to the akhand Jyoti darshan on the opening day. The day of closing falls during the second week of November, which is finalized on the day of Dussehra.

BHAVISHYA BADRI

The temple of Bhavishya Badri is at an elevation of 2744 m and is surrounded by dense forests. Located at Subain near Tapovan about 17 km east of Joshimath, on Joshimath – Lata- Malari route, pilgrims have to trek beyond Tapovan, up to Dauliganga river. Tapovan has sulphurpous Hot Springs and the view of Tapovan towards the north is simply breathtaking.

It is believed that when Kaliyug comes the mountains Jay & Vijay at Parmila near Vishnu Prayag will collapse, so making the present shrine of Badrinath inaccessible and Lord Badrinath will be worshipped here. Thus the name Bhavishya Badri which literally means the Badri of the future. Bhavishya Badri is popular even now, enshrined here is a lion headed image of Narsingh.

Nearest Airport Jolly Grant is 280 km. and nearest railway station is Rishikesh is 264 km.

YOGDHYAN BADRI

The temple of Yog Dhyan Badri, one of the five Badris is located at Pandukeshwar, just 24 km short of Badrinath on Rishikesh —Badrinath highway. Located at an altitude of 1920 m named after the Pandava's king, the sanctum has an image of the lord in a meditative (Yogdhyan) posture. The region surrounding the temple was knows as Panchaldesh.lt is the place where Pandu believed to have married Kunti. According to the myth, the Pandavas, victorious after their battle against Kauravas, but emotionally scared, came to Himalayas for penance and before seeking out the highway to heaven, handed over their capital Hastinapur to king Parikshit.

Nearest Airport Jolly Grant is 290 km. and nearest railway station Rishikesh is 274 km.

BRIDHA BADRI

The temple of the Bridha (old) Badri is located at Animath. 7 km from Joshimath in the direction of Pipalkoti. Before Badrinath was designated one of the four dhams, the idol of Badrinath was worshipped here. It is said that when mankind entered the age of Kaliyug, Vishnu chose to remove himself from the temple. Interestingly, Adi Guru Shankaracharya at Narad Kund found the image, and restored, through part of it remains damaged. This, the first Badri is located at a altitude of 1380 m at Animath, Bridha Badri remains open throughout the year. The climb to the temple is through cultivated land and. past Malta Groves.

Banyan tree shelters the temple. Legend has it that the god Vishnu disguised as Bridha (old) person played with Ganeshji during period of his childhood.

Nearest Airport Jolly Grant is 274 km. and nearest railway station Rishikesh is 258 km.

ADI BADRI

Another pilgrimage centre of importance in is this group of 16 temples almost 16 km from Karnaprayag on the Chaukhutia¬Ranikhet road. The main temple is dedicated to Narayan and has raised platform in the pyramidal form where the idol is enshrined. Sculpted out of black stone, the idol of Lord Vishnu is a meter high. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya sanctioned these temples, dating back to the Gupta period. This place is situated quite far from the cluster of other four which form the Vishnu-Kshetra. Nearest Airport Jolly Grant is 208 km. and nearest railway station Rishikesh is 192 km.