Settled in an elevation of three thousand and one hundred and thirty-three above sea level, Badrinath is place which sustain the harmony within nature. Badrinath is one of the holiest pilgrimage centers in India where the place is worshipped for the holy shrine of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath is one of the places in the Char Dham yatra. The others in the Char Dham yatra pilgrimage are Puri, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. The awestruck location of Badrinath fetches the tourist across the world. Lied in-between Nar and Narayan Peaks, it is also listed in the Chota Char Dham yatra.
Wether it be the spiritual enhancement or the aura of the nature, Badrinath stood still with its beauty. As per the mythological tales, Lord Vishnu has served the penance in this place and was in an intense mediatation. Unawareness of the drastic weather condition, Goddess Lakshmi covered him from the heat of the sun in the disguise of Badri tree. Pleased by the devotion of Goddess Laxmi, Lord Vishnu named the place as Badrinath.
“There are many spots of pilgrimage in the heaven, earth and the world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be”; as per the ancient texts. Regardless, Badrinath is ideally termed as one of the holiest places, the place is settled by the popular sage, Adi Sankaracharya. During the 16th Century, the Garhwal king happened to construct the Badrinath Temple. The present temple is a revamped temple, as it has faced many natural disasters like earthquake, avalanches during the past. The temple abounds the figure of Lord Vishnu (black stone idol) where he is surrounded by other idols like Nar, Narayana, Narad, Ganesha, Garud and Kuber.
Apart from viewing the main temple, the temple has several spots where tourist can be spotted outrageously.
Tapt Kund–
Tapt Kund is a natural thermal spring which lied below the temple. It is said to visit the templeone must dip into this spring and pay their homage. The spring is known for curing many diseases and it has various elements of therapeutic properties. Just beside the Tapt Kund there lies five boulders which also have mythological significance. These five boulders are the figure of Narad, Narsingh, Varah, Garur and Markanday.
A view of the majestic Neelkanth Peak-
The Neelkanth Peak or the “Queen of Garhwal” (6,597-meter approx. sea level) provides a natural holla to the Badrinath temple which creates a bright background itself. One must view the peak during the dawn which scatters its golden aura when the sunlight reflects the snowy surface.
Mata Murti temple-
Mata Murti temple is another temple in the city of Badrinath which is located 3 kilometers away from the Badrinath temple on the banks of river Alokananada. Mata Murti temple is dedicated to the mother of Nara and Narayan; the twin- brothers who is also believed to be the avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Charanpaduka-
Charanpaduka is the holy place where the place is surrounded by boulders. The place is 3km away from the Badrinath town. It is basically a rock where it is believed that the footprint of Lord Vishnu is imprinted here while his descends from the heaven.
Vasudhara Falls-
If you are nature lover and enthusiastic, the place is fits you well. A fall with a height of one hundred and twenty-two meters encompassing the surroundings of Himalayas, the place is a treatto the eyes. The place can be reached by covering 3 kilometers toward the Mana Village either by opting the road transport or to give a trekking which 6 kilometers on foot.
The place is an absolute bliss to relax on the laps of Himalayas and cherish the charismatic beauty of nature. However, during the months of April to June and again from September to October or November, the place is suitable to travel. There are many trains available from Haridwar and Dehradun, and it is also well-connected road which make it an accessible place. If you wish to travel by air then Jolly Grant airport, Rishikesh Road, Dehradun, is the nearest airport.