Badrinath is known for its temple consecrated to Lord Vishnu, one of Hinduism's four holy "Dhams." Badrinath, Uttarakhand, is located along the banks of the Alakananda River and offers a very serene and beautiful vibe across the city. From delicious vegetarian food to snow-covered trails, Badrinath is a must-see destination for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

The magnificent city of Badrinath is amid the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, at an elevation of roughly 10,170 feet above sea level. Thousands of pilgrims visit this popular pilgrimage site each year. Skiing, hiking, and backpacking are just a few of the activities available to visitors at Badrinath. You can also hike to the base of Nilkantha Peak, which is reported to capture the first rays of the sun every morning at dawn and provides a beautiful background to Badrinath Temple.

History of Badrinath

The Badrinath temple is said to have been around throughout the Vedic era. The temple was venerated as a Buddhist shrine during Emperor Ashoka's reign. This mediaeval Buddhist monastery is reported to have been converted to a temple by Adi Shankaracharya. One of the legends surrounding this location refers to it as 'Swargarohini,' or ascension to heaven, implying that the Pandavas and Draupadi ascended these mountain peaks to reach paradise.

According to mythology, Lord Vishnu conducted meditation in Badrinath Temple, and his wife took the form of a badri tree to protect him, thus the name Badrinath Temple. According to another legend, the sacred river Ganga was about to drop on Earth, but it was too strong for the planet to withstand. As a result, the river was divided into 12 channels and transported to earth for the benefit of mankind, with the Alaknanda River serving as a primary Ganga channel.

Culture of Badrinath

Considering Badrinath is such a distant location, it has its own customs and festivities. Badri Kedar Festival is one of the most important festivals, held in June for eight days and including a variety of musical performances. Between August and September, the Hindu holiday of Janmashtami commemorates the birth of the Hindu god Krishna. Around the festival's celebrations, fares and rallies are arranged. The primary source of entertainment is folk music and dance genres, with Bhotiya and Langvir being two of the most popular. The city is rich in medicinal herbs due to its location in the Himalayan mountain region.

Things to do at Badrinath

• Take a heavenly dip in Tapt Kund: Lord Agni's abode is reported to be Tapt Kund, a real hot water spring with a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius above the Alakananda river bank where tourists can take curative baths.The kund's hot water is thought to have healing powers.
• Trekking around Badrinath: Badrinath is surrounded by the majestic mountains of Nar Parbat, Narayana Parbat, and the colossal Neelkanth, which rises 6597 metres above sea level. For thrill seekers, various expeditions are led to these mountains. Treks to Satopanth, Mana, and Charanpaduka can also be undertaken.
• Admire the Majestic Vasundhara Falls: In this magnificent spot in Mana Village, the streams fall from a height of 400 feet. It is one of the top things to do in Badrinath because it is barely 4 kilometres from the town. It is said to be the Pandavas' ultimate reclining place before Swargarohini in mythology. It is a religious site as well as an adventure point for pilgrims.
• Skiing in Auli:  The journey from Badrinath, which is located at a height of 3300 metres (11,000 feet), to Auli, Uttarakhand, takes less than two hours! During the winter, it is a snowy location. As a result, skiing is a popular visitor and adventure activity in this area. Skiing on the beautiful Himalayan slopes, this ski resort is close to Joshimath and can also be reached by cable car, which is an interesting way to see the snowy terrain.
• Explore the Nanda Devi National Park: This national park is located in the upper Himalayan mountain ranges within 100 kilometres of Badrinath. UNESCO has designated the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve as a World Heritage Property, along with the Valley of Flowers National Park. It is divided into two sections: an internal sanctuary and an external sanctuary, and it is part of the EBA (Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area). This national park offers a variety of level treks as well as lodging.

Shopping in Badrinath

You are in luck if you are a shopaholic! Badrinath's streets are lined with small stores selling trash jewellery, clothing, religious artefacts, and literature. Some of these stores are accredited, while others are operated on a seasonal basis by local merchants. This is one of the most enjoyable activities in Badrinath. There are a plethora of stores with a plethora of products to select from! This village is prepared to sell you everything, from religious products such as books, ornaments, glittering bangles, powders, incense sticks, and holy water to Chinese items.

Places to visit 

• Badrinath Temple: Badrinath Temple is attributed to Lord Vishnu and is located near the Alaknanda River on the Garhwal hill ranges. It is one of India's most popular pilgrimage sites and is one of the four Char Dham and Chota Char Dham pilgrimage yatras. It holds Lord Vishnu's black stone idol.
• Vyas Gufa: Maharishi Ved Vyas chronicled the Mahabharata with the assistance of Lord Ganesha in Vyas Gufa, a holy location in Mana near Badrinath, Uttarakhand. Maharishi Ved Vyas also wrote many additional Puranas, Sutras, and Vedas in this cave. The cave's roof, which mimics the sheets of a script, is a peculiar characteristic.
• Neelkanth Peak: Neelkanth Peak, at an elevation of 6507 metres, is one of the most conspicuous peaks in the Garhwal Himalayas. It stands over the famous Badrinath Temple and is regarded as the Queen of Garhwal. The mountain peak, which symbolizes Lord Shiva resting on cliffs, is the most relaxing and heavenly sight to view.
• Narad Kund: Narad Kund is a notable tourist attraction in Badrinath, located near the holy town of Badrinath. It's basically a harbour in the Alaknanda River that's completely surrounded by a cliff. According to mythology, it was here that sage Narad authored the Narad Bhakti Sutra.
• Brahma Kapal: For Hindu worshippers, Brahma Kapal is an important pilgrimage place in Badrinath. Brahma Kapal, located on the serene banks of the Alaknanda River, is a must-see on your pilgrimage to Badrinath Dham. Brahma Kapal is placed within Badrinath's holy dham. According to tradition, Lord Shiva was liberated from his Brahma Hatya guilt here.
• Valley of Flowers: Valley of Flowers is a beautiful paradise on earth that attracts travellers from all over the world. Because of its remote location and restricted accessibility, this valley has been designated as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It is home to around 520 different flower species, as well as some vulnerable animal species.
• Charanpaduka: The word Charanpaduka literally indicates 'footwear,' and it refers to a big rock that is said to bear Lord Vishnu's footprint. The rock, as per Hindu tradition, is the precise area where Lord Vishnu first set foot on earth during his visit. The location is at an elevation of 1,030 metres above sea level and is bordered by a beautiful meadow that blooms throughout the summer.