The most important of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage is small town known as Badrinath beautifully lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and in the shadow of Nilkantha peak (6,560m). The place is a holy town situated 301 km north of Rishikesh. The primary reason to visit the place by numerous visitors because of highly respected Badrinath temple.



Badrinath temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and the most popular among Hindus. In the ninth century famous saint Adi Sankaracharya established this temple as a major pilgrimage site. Besides the main temple of Badrinath there are four other smaller temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, collectively they are called ‘Panch Badris’ or five badris. Though the four other temples are scattered around the main town, very few people however, visit the four badris.

A 4 km walk from Badrinath along the Alaknanda river and past fields divided by dry stone walls leads to tiny but charismatic Mana village. Mana village is also the last village on Indo- Tibet border. It is inhabited by Indo- Mongolian tribe where men tend the sheep or play carom or cards and women occupied themselves with knitting colorful jerseys and weaving carpets and blankets. Near by Vyas Gufa is popular among pilgrims as this is the place where saint Ved Vyas wrote epic Mahabharata.

Sight And Activities

Badrinath Temple And Tapt Kund
Perched at the height of 3,133 meters above sea level, this vividly painted temple is surrounded by beautiful valley. Badrinath temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu, it is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of gilt bull and spire. The temple has been recreated many times due to damage by avalanches. On the bank of river Alaknanda, hot water spring also known as Tapt Kund is there. Devotees take a holy bath before entering the main shrine. The water of Kund is always around 40 degree and believed to have a medicinal property.
Trekking
You have variety of options of trekking from Badrinath. Most of trekking enthusiast opt for triangular trek through Badrinath, Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib Lake. Hemkund Sahib is sacred place of Sikh community and located at the height of 4150m. Badrinath trekking route takes you to beautiful Valley Of Flower. The national park is located at the height of 3658m, more than 300 species of flowers make the valley an unique and valuable place for travelers. The place is also recognized as World Heritage Site and best time to visit is during monsoon when most flower bloom.

Mana Village
This is the last village on Indo-Tibet border. Though a small and segregated village it is popular among tourists because of natural beauty of surroundings and exquisite carpets, blankets, and colorful jerseys knitted by local women.

Walk To The Vasudhara Glaciers
One of the rare activity is to walk up to the Vasudhara glaciers from Mana village. It takes around two and half hours to reach glaciers and along the trek don’t miss 145 km Vasudhara waterfall.