Daily Hindu Panchang
The abode of Lord Badri Vishal on the Alaknanda
Badrinath is one of the four Char Dhams and also one of the Chota Char Dham. It is a Vishnu temple on the banks of the Alaknanda, with Tapt Kund hot springs nearby and Mana village, the last Indian village on this route.
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| Place | Badrinath, Uttarakhand |
|---|---|
| Known as | Vishnu dham · Char Dham |
| Best time | May to June and September to October. The temple is closed in winter, roughly from around Vijayadashami or Diwali to the spring opening. |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 days from Rishikesh |
| Nearest railway | Rishikesh |
| Nearest airport | Jolly Grant, Dehradun |
Badrinath is the Himalayan seat of Lord Vishnu as Badri Vishal and one of the four Dhams. The temple stands at about 3,100 metres on the bank of the Alaknanda, below the Neelkanth peak. Unlike Kedarnath, you can reach it by road, which makes it one of the easier high Himalayan yatras for families and senior citizens.
The temple is open only in the warmer months. In winter the deity is worshipped at Joshimath, so the dates you travel matter more than anything else.
This guide covers the temple, the sights around it, the road from Rishikesh and how to pace the altitude.
The road from Rishikesh goes through Devprayag, Srinagar (Garhwal), Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Chamoli and Joshimath. It is a long mountain drive of about 300 km that most people split over two days. Landslides are common in the monsoon, so check road status before leaving.
Joshimath is the usual night halt before the last stretch. Many pilgrims reach Badrinath in the morning and return the same day or stay one night.
How many days do you have? Pick one and the plan changes.
For people who start the Badrinath leg from Joshimath.
The most common family plan.
A slower yatra with rest days.
The two big Dhams in a single trip.
The temple has a bright, colourful facade and houses Badri Vishal in a meditating posture. It is one of the Char Dham and also part of the Vaishnava divya desams. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with re-establishing worship here.
Right below the temple is Tapt Kund, a hot spring where pilgrims bathe before darshan. The water is warm even in the cold air.
Local tip: Go early. Keep warm clothes handy because the wind from the river is cold.
Tapt Kund is the sulphur hot spring next to the Alaknanda. Pilgrims take a dip before darshan. Narad Kund is a small pool nearby where the idol is said to have been found.
Local tip: Bring a spare towel and a change of clothes in a plastic bag.
Mana is the last village before the Tibet border, about 3 km from Badrinath. It has Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa and Bhim Pul, a natural stone bridge over the Saraswati river.
The village is simple and friendly, with a small tea shop known as the last tea shop of India.
Local tip: Walk if you can. The road is short and the views are wide.
A waterfall about 5 km beyond Mana, reached by a trek. It is a long walk at altitude, suited to fit travellers with a free half day.
Local tip: Start early, carry water and do not go if the weather is poor.
Charan Paduka is a rock believed to carry Vishnu's footprints, a short climb above the temple. From the town you also see the Neelkanth peak, which glows at sunrise on clear days.
Local tip: Sunrise is the best time for views.
| May to June | Roads and temple fully open. The busiest time. |
|---|---|
| July to August | Monsoon. Landslides and delays are common. |
| September to October | Clear skies, fewer people. Nights are cold. |
| November to April | Temple closed. Deity worshipped at Joshimath. |
Badrinath has guest houses, dharamshalas and GMVN lodges, which fill up in May and June. Joshimath and Pipalkoti are good fall-backs with more rooms.
Simple vegetarian food: dal, rice, rotis and parathas. Carry dry fruits and a water bottle. The prasad at the temple is tulsi and mishri.
Check the dates for this year on our festival calendar, and choose a shubh time using the muhurat pages.
Darshan timings, booking rules and road conditions change, so confirm them with the temple trust or local authority before you travel.
Three days from Haridwar is the minimum comfortable plan. Two days is possible only if you start from Joshimath.
No. The temple closes after the autumn season and the deity is worshipped at Joshimath.
It is a mountain road with landslide risk in the monsoon. Travel in daylight and check the road status.
Yes, as the temple is reachable by road. Rest at Joshimath and take it slowly.
Warm layers, a rain jacket, comfortable shoes, personal medicines, ID and a refillable bottle.
May to June and September to October. The temple is closed in winter, roughly from around Vijayadashami or Diwali to the spring opening.
Plan 2 to 3 days from Rishikesh.
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Check current road and train timings before you travel.
Opening day in spring; Badri Kedar Utsav; Mata Murti Ka Mela.
On 13 November 2026, the tithi is Shukla Chaturthi and Rahu Kaal is 10:36 AM to 11:56 AM, worked out for Badrinath's own sunrise.
Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand: Neilsatyam, CC BY-SA 3.0, source.
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