Places to Visit In and Around Badrinath

The town of Badrinath, located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. It is home to several important temples and natural wonders that are steeped in myth and legend. In this article, we will explore some of the most significant attractions in and around Badrinath.

Neelkanth

At the back of the Badrinath temple, a side valley opens to a conical shaped Neelkanth peak (6500 mts). Also known as the ‘Garhwal Queen’ is a snowy peak in the shape of a pyramid that forms the background of the Badrinath. Visitors can come up to Braham Kamal area.

Satopanth

It’s a triangular lake surrounded by snow covered peaks and is named after the Hindu gods Mahesh, Vishnu and Brahma. It is believed that Hindu gods Mahesh, Vishnu and Brahma takes bath in this Sarovar each Ekadasi of Hindu Calendar. It is considered to be one of the most challenging trekking routes in the region and requires a high level of fitness and experience. Despite its difficulty, the Satopanth expedition is known for its beauty and serenity, making it a must-visit for adventure enthusiasts. (Permission required to visit)

Tapt Kund

Before entering the Badrinath Temple, one has to take a holy dip in the Tapt Kund. Tapt kund is a natural hot water pool fed by a sulphur spring which is said to be the abode of Agni, the god of fire. The bathing area has separate arrangements for men and women. Although the normal temperature is 55°c, the water temperature keeps rising gradually during the day. It is considered to have high medicinal value. A dip here is considered to be a good cure for skin diseases.

Brahma Kapal

Near the temple, there is a place to perform Shradha of ancestors of yatris, this is an important place of Shradha where a person can perform once in his life.

Charan Paduka

It is just 3 km away is a beautiful meadow carpeted with wild flowers in the summer. Here is a boulder bearing the footprints of Lord Vishnu.

Narada Kund

Situated near the Tapt Kund, Narad Kund is the place where the idol of Lord Vishnu was recovered by Adi Sankara. The hot water springs comes out from beneath the Garur Shila and falls into a tank. Darshan of Badarinath is always preceded by a holy dip in this kund. Apart from that there are many other hot water springs. Devotees take a dip in them for their religious and medicinal value. Suraj Kund at Badarinath and Gauri Kund on way to Kedarnath are another famous Kunds.

Vasudhara Falls

Vasundhara Falls (3 kms from mana village) is one of the famous tourist attractions, which lies in the Mana Village. The water of this cascading falls flows down from the height of 400 ft and is situated at an altitude of 12,000 ft. It is believed that the water of Vasundhara Falls turns away from the visitors who are not pure at heart. Close to the falls are prominent peaks of Satopanth, Chaukhamba and Bandarpunch.

Vasuki Tal

This is a high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that ascends to 14,200 feet. Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasudhara Falls are 3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu mythology and form part of the pilgrimage to Badarinath.

Leela Dhungi

Badrinath is the area that Lord Shiv originally chose for his tapasya. However, Lord Vishnu decided that he wanted to meditate here so he assumed the form of a little child and lay on a rock and cried. He refused to stop even when Parvati tried to console him. In the end, Lord Shiv could not stand the child’s wails and decided to shift to Kedarnath.

Swargarohini

This is a popular trekking destination, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is considered as the route to heaven and is a challenging trek, which requires a good level of fitness. The trek starts from the base of the Neelkanth peak and passes through dense forests and snow-covered mountains.

Laxmi Van

This is a serene and peaceful place located in the vicinity of Badrinath. It is known for its scenic beauty and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Alaknanda River, which originates from the nearby glaciers.

Bheem Pul

This is a massive rock that acts as a natural bridge across the Saraswati River. According to Hindu mythology, it was created by Bheem, one of the five Pandavas, to help Draupadi cross the river. The Saraswati River flows with great force and merges with the Alaknanda River, creating a breathtaking landscape.

Panch Shila

This is a group of five rocks located near the Badrinath Temple. They are believed to represent the five elements of nature – earth, water, fire, air and sky. Visitors can offer prayers at the rocks and seek blessings from the gods.

Urvashi Temple

The Urvashi Temple is dedicated to the legendary nymph who led a group of celestial maidens sent by Lord Indra to distract Nar and Narayan as they meditated in the ashram of Badrivishal. According to legend, Narayan tore his left thigh and created several beautiful nymphs, including Urvashi. The temple is located on the outskirts of the Bamni village near a small pond known as the Charanpaduka.

Sheshnetra

Sheshnetra is a boulder located 1.5 km away from Badrinath, which has an impression of the eye of the legendary snake, Sheshnag. On the opposite bank of the Alaknanda River, there is another boulder with a similar impression, located between two small seasonal lakes in the lap of Nar Parvat.

Mana Village

Mana Village is the last village of the Indian territory at the border with China, and is located just 3 km from Badrinath. The villagers of Mana are closely linked with the activities of the Shri Badarinath temple and offer a choli to the deity on the closing day of the temple each year, a traditional feat. The village is full of caves, and it is said that Ved Vyas, the legendary sage and poet, dictated his epic of the Mahabharata to Ganesh in one of the caves, now known as Vyas Gufa.

Vyas Gufa

Vyas Gufa is an ancient cave near the Mana village, where Vyas Muni is said to have written the great grantha of the Mahabharata. The cave is associated with ancient sages and yogis, and there are other caves nearby, including Ganesh Gufa, Bhima Gufa, and Muchakanda Gufa.

Mata Murti Temple

The Mata Murti Temple is located about 3 km from Badrinath, on the right bank of the Alaknanda River, and is dedicated to the mother of Shri Badarinath.

Panch Dharas

The Panch Dharas, or five streams, of Badaripuri are famous for their mythological significance. These include the Prahlad, Kurma, Bhrigu, Urvashi, and Indira dharas. The Indira dhara, located about 1.5 km north of the town, is particularly noteworthy. The Bhrigudhara flows by several caves, and the Urvashi dhara is located to the right of the Rishi Ganga and originates from the Neelkanth range. The water of the Kurma dhara is extremely cold, while the Prahlad dhara boasts lukewarm water that flows down the Narain Parvat rocks in a captivating manner.

River Saraswati

The River Saraswati originates from a lateral glacier located 3 kilometers north of the Mana village. It is considered to be the embodiment of the Hindu goddess of learning and is believed to have blessed the sage Ved Vyas, who wrote the epic poem "Mahabharata" while residing in Mana. The Saraswati then flows to the Vyas Gufa before it becomes lost in the Alaknanda river at Keshav Prayag. Its journey continues unnoticed until it reaches Allahabad, where it is said to merge with the Ganga and Yamuna rivers yet remain invisible.