Badrinath – Complete Travel Guide to the Sacred Dham of Uttarakhand
More About Badrinath Dham
Badrinath Temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in India. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, this holy town lies at an altitude of about 3,133 meters (10,279 feet) above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas. Surrounded by the majestic Nar and Narayan mountain ranges and blessed with the serene flow of the Alaknanda River, Badrinath is not just a religious center but also a place of immense natural beauty.
Badrinath is one of the four sacred sites of the famous Char Dham (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath). It is also part of the larger Char Dham circuit of India, which includes Rameswaram, Dwarka, Puri, and Badrinath. Every year, thousands of devotees and travelers visit this holy town to seek blessings and experience spiritual peace.
Badrinath is deeply connected with Hindu mythology. According to legend, Lord Vishnu meditated here for thousands of years. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a Badri tree (wild berry) to protect Lord Vishnu from harsh weather conditions. Hence, the place was named “Badrinath,” meaning “Lord of the Badri.”
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Badrinarayan. The black stone idol of Lord Vishnu inside the temple is said to be over 1,000 years old. The temple was re-established by the great Hindu philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. He played a major role in reviving Hinduism and establishing pilgrimage sites across India.
