BADRINATH TEMPLES

With its great scenic beauty and attractive recreational spots in the vicinity, Badrinath attracts an ever increasing number of secular visitors each year too.

Tapt Kund
Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda It is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath Temple.

Narad Kund
A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.

Brahma Kapa
A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda where propitiating rites for the deceased ancestors are performed.

Sheshnetra
Sheshnag’s eye, as it is called is about 1.5 km away. It is a boulder with an impression of the legendary snake Sheshnetra.

Charanpaduka
3 km away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.

Neelkanth
Neelkanth is a pyramidal shaped snowy peak (6,597m) towering over Badrinath. It is popularly known as the ‘Garhwal Queen’.

Panch Badri

Mata Murti Temple
Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Seshnetra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.

Mana Village
Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, Mana is considered as the last Indian village before Tibet. Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhim Pul, Vasudhara Falls (3.6 km) are among the places near Mana Village.

Alka Puri
15 km from Badrinath via Mana village lies the source of Alaknanda river from the glacier snouts of Bhagirath – Kharak and Sato Panth glaciers. The spot is supposed to be the above of Kuber, Yakshas and Gandharvas.

Sato Panth
25 km from Badrinath and located at an elevation of 4,402 m is a three cornered lake of serene water with a circumference of about 1 km. The lake is named after the Hindu triad Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh who are believed to occupy one corner each of this lake. The trek is hazardous and full of dramatic views. An experienced guide is advisable. There is no place to rest except in between caves. Cooked food, stove etc. must be carried from Badrinath itself.

Arwatal
For the more enterprising, a trek to Arwatal (3,980 m) via Mana, Ghastoli and Arwanala is rewarding. Through hazardous icy and snowy terrain a number of streams have to be crossed. Badrinath to Ghastoli is 17 km and Arwatal is approximately another 18 km. (Photography is prohibited in this area and a guide is essential).

Vyas Gufa cave
Near Mana village, this is a rock cave where Veyasa is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the Puranic commentaries.

Bhim Pul
On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge lies over the roaring Saraswati River. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.

Vasudhara
As the name suggests, Vasudhara is a magnificent waterfall with a height of 122 mtrs. This place is 5 kms. from Badrinath out of which 2 km are motorable unto Mana, the last village of India on this border.