Places to Visit in Badrinath
The town of Badrinath in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is one of the immensely holy Char Dham places in India. Badrinath Temple is the main attraction of Badrinath. It is also a famous temple of the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. Badrinath is a very picturesque little town, where you can visit many famous places in Uttarakhand. Badrinath is on the banks of the Alaknanda River. You can visit Badrinath as part of your Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra package. You can plan your Badrinath trip package with Shrine Yatra and include these places on your tour itinerary.
1. Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple is the main attraction of Badrinath. It was originally built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Badrinarayan. Badrinath Temple is on the banks of the Alaknanda River. You can plan a Badrinath tour package to include many famous nearby places.
2. Tapt Kund
Tapt Kund is a hot water tank near Badrinath Temple, where tourists take a dip before praying at the temple. Lord Agni of Hindu mythology resides here. The water of Tapt Kund is said to cure one of the various ailments. Hindus believe that Tapt Kund originated from Lord Shiva’s head.
3. Yogdhyan Badri Temple
Yogdhyan Badri is one of the Sapt Badri temples in Uttrakhand. The idol of Lord Vishnu in the temple is believed to have been built by King Pandu during the Mahabharata times. There are idols of Lord Kuber and Udhava also in this temple.
4. Mana Village
Mana Village is just 3 km from Badrinath and is very picturesque. It is the last village that comes before the Tibetan-Chinese border. Saraswati River flows through Mana Village. Bhotia tribes live in Mana Village. You can buy woolen garments from small handicraft shops at Mana Village.
5. Pandukeshwar
Pandukeshwar is a small town near Badrinath, where Lord Pandu meditated to Lord Shiva. The temples of Yogdhyan Badri and Vasudeva Temple are famous in Pandukeshwar. These temples have remarkable architecture and are very ancient.
6. Saraswati River
Saraswati River emerges from a glacier near Mana Village. It is a Hindu goddess of learning and wisdom. Saraswati River merges with the Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag and then remains hidden and is not seen anywhere else.
7. Bheem Pul
Bheem Pul is a rock bridge over the Saraswati River. The bridge is said to have been built by Bheem, who was one of the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata. Saraswati River flows under this rock bridge. Bheem Pul is in Mana Village and is a spectacular sight to behold.
8. Mata Murti Temple
Mata Murti Temple is situated on the Alaknanda River and is just 3 km from Badrinath. It is considered to be the mother of Nar and Narayan. Pilgrims to Badrinath also pray at this temple on their way.
9. Charanpaduka
Charanpaduka is a rock having the footprints of Lord Vishnu. The rock is 3 km from Badrinath, situated on Narayan Parvat. You can trek for an hour to reach this holy rock.
10. Narada Kund
Narada Kund is a holy water tank that is named after Narada Muni the mythological character of Hindu mythology. It has hot springs which emerge from Gauri Shila and is close to Tapt Kund. Adi Shankaracharya recovered the idol of Lord Vishnu from Narada Kund.
11. Satopanth Lake
Satopanth Lake is a triangular-shaped glacial lake in Badrinath. The lake is said to be very holy and on a particularly auspicious day, the three divine gods of Hindus – Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh – come to bathe in this lake. Satopanth Lake is surrounded by scenic mountains and is best for trekking.
12. Brahma Kapal
Brahma Kapal is a very holy place in Badrinath. Hindus believe that Lord Brahma exists at Brahma Kapal. Performing funeral rites here gives salvation or Mukti to the deceased members of a family. After the funeral rite, they sprinkle the ashes in the Alaknanda, which flows near Brahma Kapal.
13. Ganesha Cave
Ganesha Cave is a natural cave in Mana Village near Badrinath. According to popular beliefs, Lord Ganesha wrote Mahabharata here at Ganesha Cave. Ganesha Cave is one of the many famous places to visit in Badrinath.
14. Vyas Cave
Vyas Cave or Vyas Gufa is another natural cave near Badrinath. This cave is in Mana Village, and local people believe that it was at Vyas Cave that Ved Vyas composed the great epic, Mahabharata.
15. Sheshnatra
Sheshnetra is the place where Lord Vishnu lies on the snake Ananta Shesh. This is one of the many interesting sites that you can visit on your tour of Badrinath. A stone is marked on the rock, where the eye of this mythological snake is supposed to be located. Locals believe that Sheshnatra guards the entire holy town of Badrinath.
16. Neelkantha Peak
Neelkanth Peak is one of the most famous peaks of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. This icy peak can be seen from anywhere in Badrinath. There are many glaciers near this peak and some of the famous ones are Satopanth and Panpatia. Neelkantha Peak is named after Lord Shiva. The peak looks golden bright during sunrise hours.
17. Surya Kund
Surya Kund is a hot water tank, where pilgrims take a dip before visiting Badrinath Temple. The fresh spring waters are said to have medicinal and healing properties. Surya Kund is close to many other hot water tanks like Tapt Kund and Narada Kund.
18. Vasudhara Falls
Vasudhara Falls is in Mana Village, and you can trek 6 km from Mana Village to reach this falls. The cascading waters fall from a height of 400 ft. Vasudhara Falls originates from Narayan Peak, and people believe that only those who are pure at heart are touched by the pure waters of Vasudhara Falls.
19. Panch Dhara
Panch Dhara is five river streams that flow from Badrinath. These five river streams are known as Bhrigu, Prahlad, Kurma, Urvashi, and Indira. Indira Dhara is the most spectacular among these. Bhrigu Dhara flows through many caves in its path. Urvashi Dhara flows to the right of the Rishi Ganga River. Kurma Dhara is a cold river stream, whereas Prahlad Dhara has lukewarm waters.
20. Panch Shila
Panch Shila is five blocks near Tapt Kund at Badrinath. These five blocks are called Garud Shila, Narshingh Shila, Varah Shila, Markandeya Shila, and Nar Shila. All these blocks are named after Hindu mythological characters. Narad Shila is between Narada kund and Tapt Kund.
21. Alkapuri Glacier
Alkapuri Glacier is the source of the Alaknanda River. This glacier is also mentioned in Hindu mythological puraras as the home of Kuber (God of wealth), Yakshas, and Gandharvas (Hindu nature spirits). You can trek 12 km from Mana Village to reach Alkapuri Glacier. Alkapuri Glacier gives you views of Nilkhanth, Chaukhamba, and several other peaks from close range.
