Badrinath is a town and nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu holy place and one of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage. Badrinath is located at an elevation of around 3,100 m. Badrinath in winter is unforgiving, with temperatures dipping as low as 1°C to 14°C and sometimes plunging below zero. Heavy snowfall blankets the region, rendering it inaccessible for pilgrims and leading to the closure of the temple before the onset of October.
A Brief About Badrinath
The tourist destination in Uttarakhand, Badrinath, is entwined with mystery and folklore. Badrinath Dham is a religious place where both Nar and Narayan meet. It is located at an elevation of 3,133mts above sea level in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state. Of the 108 Divya Desams representing Lord Vishnu’s incarnations, Badarinath is considered a sacred temple for Vaishnavites. Along with the Badrinath temple, the town of Badrinath is home to the Panch Badri temples, including the Yog Dhyan, Bhavishya, Adi, and Vriddha Badri.
It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas on the banks of the Alaknanda River. This sacred town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges. The temple is believed to have been established by sage Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu himself built the temple. It is said that after defeating the demon king Ravana, Lord Rama came to Badrinath to worship Lord Vishnu.
Must Read: Things To Do In Badrinath
Badrinath Weather In Winter
Winter is not recommended to plan a trip to Badrinath. The temple gets covered by snowfall and is shifted to Pandukeshwar. Badrinath temperature in winter also drops to -1°C, making the climate extremely cold. Therefore, it is best to avoid visiting Badrinath in the winter months. During the winter, Joshimath and the adjacent areas receive heavy snowfall, which makes the region and other prominent places nearly inaccessible ( well, not inaccessible, but difficult to travel) for about 6 months, from December to May every year. During this period, Badrinath shrine remains closed, Valley of Flowers National Park doesn’t issue visitor permits, and it is not advisable to trek to Hemkund Sahib.
However, the heavy snowfall brings life alive at Auli, 12 km from Joshimath. The small town of Auli is considered one of the best Ski destinations in India.
Places To Visit In And Around Badrinath
After seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings at Badrinath in winter, explore various nearby places and add them to your bucket list.
1. Vasudhara Falls
Vasudhara Falls is a waterfall situated near Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. This spring is considered to have a flavour like nectar because its water has been enriched by Ayurvedic herbs, such that the person on whom its water falls becomes healthy. The Vasudhara Falls trek starts from Mana village. It is a moderate trek of 3 hours, which is fitter for beginners. It is said that the Vasudhara Falls are so pure and pious that they never fall on a sinner’s body.
Location: QFQ3+C23, Uttarakhand 246422, near Badrinath
Timings: Open 24 hours
Suggested Read: Badrinath In December
2. Auli
Auli is known for its scenic beauty and as a premier destination for adventure sports in the snow. From calm and thrilling treks to fresh snow and adventure sports, Auli has everything to satisfy your wants and needs. A certain charm falls over Auli in winter, and December is the perfect time to experience it yourself. Snow is not an uncommon sight in hill stations. But the blanket of snow which envelopes the slopes and peaks of Auli during winters has a certain magic of its own. It offers a perfect setting to walk through or have fun with friends and family.
Location: Chamoli district in Uttarakhand’s northern region
Timings: Open 24 hours
3. Badarinath Temple
Badarinath or Badarinarayana Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It is one of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites among the 108 divya desams incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November), because of extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region. The ideal time to visit Badrinath Temple is from May to October. The temple is closed from October/ November and is reopened around April. Adi Shankara established Badrinath as a pilgrimage site in the ninth century. The temple has three structures: the Garbhagriha (sanctum), the Darshan Mandapa (worship hall), and Sabha Mandapa (convention hall).
Location: PFVR+X9G, Badri to Mata Murti road, Badrinath, Uttarakhand 246422
Timings: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Suggested Read: Shree Badrinath Temple
4. Bheem Pul
Bheem Pul is a historic site located in Uttarakhand in India. It’s an ancient stone bridge constructed over the Saraswati River in Joshimath. The story behind the Bheem Pul is that when Draupadi could not cross the river, Bheema brought a huge rock and placed it above the river stream to serve as a bridge. That rock is now known as the Bheem Pul and is located in Mana village near Badrinath.
Location: QFFV+P59, Mana, Uttarakhand 246422
Timings: Open 24 hours
5. Pandukeshwar
Pandukeshwar is a sacred place located en route to the abode of Lord Vishnu ‘Badrinath’ at an elevation of 1829 meters. As per legend, King Pandukehwar, father of the great Mahabharata epic Pandavas, founded Pandukeshwar. The village is famous for the ancient Pandukeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Yogadhyan Badri (a form of Lord Vishnu) and holds immense religious importance. According to Hindu mythology, it’s believed that the Pandavas, characters from the Indian epic Mahabharata, performed penance here after the Kurukshetra War. It is located at 6300 feet, on the way to Badrinath.
Location: altitude of 6300 feet, on the way to Badrinath in Chamoli district
Timings: Open 24 hours
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Badrinath In Winter
6. Vishnu Charan Paadhuka
Perched at 3,380 ft above sea level, the Charanpaduka boulder is considered a spiritual site. After pushing Gayasura below the earth’s surface, Lord Vishnu’s footprint remained on the surface we see today. The footprint consists of nine symbols, including Shankar, Chakram and Gadham. These are believed to be weapons of the lord. This boulder stone is deemed a religious site visited by hundreds of pilgrims and tourists annually. People think that Lord Vishnu set his foot first on earth here. Charan Paduka is positioned on Narayan Parvat, just three kilometres from Badrinath town.
Location: PFRJ+M7C, Badrinath, Uttarakhand 246422
Timings: Open 24 hours
7. The Cave of Veda Vyasa
Vyas Cave is an ancient cave in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, just a few kilometres away from the famous Badrinath shrine. Vyas Gufa is believed to be where sage Vyas composed the Mahabharata epic with the help of Lord Ganesha. He also composed 18 Puranas, Brahma Sutras and four Vedas. Maharishi Vyas statue is installed in the caves and worshipped by the pilgrims. A distinct feature of the temple is the roof, which resembles the pages from the collection of his holy scripts.
Location: QFFV+PXM, NH 58, Mana, Uttarakhand 246422
Timings: Open 24 hours
Further Read: Satopanth Tal
Now that you have a list of things to remember for your next vacation to see places in Badrinath in winter make sure you plan your trip to Badrinath to these fabulous spots for the experience of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on these opportunities, and book your tickets now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Badrinath In Winter
For what is Badrinath widely recognised?
Badrinath is famous because of the 108 Divya Desams that represent Lord Vishnu's incarnations, Badarinath is considered a sacred temple for Vaishnavites. The settlement of Badrinath is a component of the Panch Badri temple complex.
What is the temperature of winter in Badrinath?
Winter is not recommended to plan a trip to Badrinath. The temple gets covered by snowfall and is shifted to Pandukeshwar. Badrinath temperature in winter also drops to -1°C, making the climate extremely cold.
Can we stay in Badrinath?
Even five-star hotels with stunning Himalayan views are available in Badrinath, ranging from basic accommodations ideal for pilgrims to luxurious establishments.
How many days are enough for Badrinath?
Given the abundance of sites in and around Badrinath, two days would be required to properly tour the town and its surrounding area at a leisurely pace. To complete all the places given on this list, you would need at least two weeks, with a few days earmarked for Mana village and a trek planned out for Satopanth.
What dish is Badrinath famous for?
When it comes to food, Badrinath is famous for its Thechwani dish. It is a special Pahadi or mountain region dish. You should be able to find it available at any of the local Badrinath restaurants.
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