Badrinath

According to the Skanda Purana, the Badrinath region has long been considered the ancient dwelling place of Lord Vishnu. The Purana tells us that Vishnu performed intense tapas (spiritual austerities) here.

As the story goes, while Vishnu was deep in meditation, Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a badri tree — a jujube tree — to shield him from the sun and the rain. It is because of this that the place came to be called Badrinath. Badri means the badri tree.

The Bhagavata Purana also mentions Badrikashrama. This place has been regarded as the tapas-ground of the sages Nara and Narayana as well. The Puranic texts describe it as Vishnu's most beloved abode.

In the 8th century CE, Adi Shankaracharya established this site as one of the four Char Dhams. He also founded a matha (monastic seat) here, known as Jyotirmath — and it is this Jyotirmath that has remained the central seat of the Badrinath tradition.

Badrinath is the Northern Dham among the four Char Dhams. It is also part of the Chhota Char Dham (the four dhams within Uttarakhand). Situated at approximately 3,300 metres in the lap of the Himalayas, the temple sits on the banks of the Alaknanda River. Close by are two mountain ranges named Nara and Narayana.

The temple does not stay open through the year — heavy snowfall forces it to close during winter. By tradition, the temple opens between April-May and November. During the winter months, the deity is carried to Joshimath, where puja (devotional worship) continues without interruption.

• During the open season, devotees have been coming here daily for darshan (sacred viewing of the deity).
• Near the temple is Tapt Kund — a natural hot-water spring that rises from the earth.
• By tradition, devotees bathe in Tapt Kund before proceeding to the temple for darshan.
• The temple is surrounded by Himalayan peaks and the beautiful flow of the Alaknanda — a view that stays with pilgrims long after they return home.