Badrinath Temple

About Badrinath Temple:

Badrinath Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the town of Badrinath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four sacred shrines (Char Dham) in Hinduism, along with Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the form of Badrinath, and is believed to have been originally established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The current temple structure is believed to have been built in the 16th century by the kings of Garhwal.

The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,133 meters (10,279 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, including the Neelkanth Peak. It is open to devotees only for six months a year, from late April to early November, due to extreme weather conditions during the winter months.

Every year, thousands of devotees undertake the arduous trek to the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Badrinath. The temple is also an important part of the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage and attracts visitors from all over India and abroad.

History of Badrinath Temple

The history of Badrinath Temple dates back to ancient times and is associated with Hindu mythology. It is believed that the temple was originally established by Adi Shankaracharya, a great philosopher and theologian of the 8th century. He is said to have discovered the idol of Lord Badrinath in the Alaknanda River and installed it in the temple. According to legend, the temple was built on the spot where Lord Vishnu meditated for thousands of years, standing on one leg, in the form of Nar-Narayan. Impressed by his penance, Goddess Laxmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, took the form of a Badri tree to provide him shelter from the harsh weather. Lord Vishnu was pleased with her devotion and blessed the place, which came to be known as Badrinath.

Over the centuries, the temple underwent several renovations and additions. The current structure of the temple is believed to have been built by the kings of Garhwal in the 16th century. It is a typical example of the Garhwali architecture, with a stone façade and a towering shikhara. During the 19th century, the temple suffered damage due to an earthquake and was subsequently renovated by the kings of Jaipur. In recent times, the temple has been managed by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, which is responsible for its upkeep and administration.