CharDham Travel - BADRINATH

Location : Uttaranchal State, INDIA

Attractions for Tourists: Joshimath, Govindghat, Mana villages, Charan Paduka, Vyas Gufa, Shes Netra Tal, Ganesh Gufa , Valley of Flowers, Lok-Pal Hemkund, Bhimpul

Visit time : April to November.

The Badrinath temple opens every year in May and closes for winter in the third of November.

About BADRINATH

Badrinath Dham is one of the oldest Hindu places of worship. Badrinath in one of the four CHARDHAMS a devout Hindu has to visit in his lifetime to attain salvation. Badrinath is surrounded with both sides by two mountain ranges known as Nar and Naryanan, with the Neelkanth peak providing a breathtaking backdrop.  For the Badrinath Temple The legends say, that Badrinath, was the home of Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan. It is known as Tapobhumi.  The spot was carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries and hence was famous as 'Badri Van'. ). The Badrinath temple here is the main complex where devotees seek blessings. Every year thousands and thousands of pilgrims pay a visit to this place in summers, since due to snowfalls, the temple remains closed during winters

Also knows as land for meditation and penance and bhubaikunth, i.e. heaven on earth.

Badrinath temple is also having hot water spring closer to it known as Tapt Kund, known for its medicinal properties.

Other springs here are the Narad Kund and Surya Kund.

There is a separate tank for women.

Tourist Attractions at Badrinath
Joshimath
Winter home of Shri Badrinathji is situated on the slopes above the confluence of  river Alaknanda and Dhauliganga. It is one of the four 'maths' established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya.
It is beleieved that Adi Guru Shankaracharya came all the way from Kerala in 8th century AD to perform penance here. After enlightment, he established a religious center (Math) here, which he called 'Jyotirmath'. The name Joshimath is a derived from that. Of religious interest are the temples of Nav Durga and Narsingh. Apart from the religious importance, this place is unequalled for its scenic beauty.

Govindghat
The confluence of alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers. It has an imposing Gurudwara named after Guru Gobind Singh. Situated between Joshimath and Badrinath it is the starting point for the trek to this valley. From Gobindghat, it is 16 kms. away. Ponies can also be hired from Gobindghat.

# Mana Village (4 kms.)
It is considered to be the last Indian village before Tibet on this route. Near top this is Vyas Gufa - the rock cave of saint Ved Vyas, the writer of the Mahabharata; Bhim Pul - a natural bridge over the Saraswati river, and Vasundhara Falls - a 122 mts. high waterfall - all forming an important part of the pilgrimage to Badrinath.

Valley of Flowers
This is just amazing hangout for the flower and nature lovers. So named because of the abundance of flowers that bloom here. It is one of the most picturesque valleys in the world. Nearby flows the river Pushpawati while the massive Rataban peak forms a splendid backdrop. The appropriate time to visit it is July & August when the flowers bloom.

Lok-Pal Hemkund
This is where the Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara, at an altitude of 4320 m above sea-level, is located. The climb is steep and tiring. Hemkund Sahib is one of the most famous Gurdwaras and is held in great reverence by the Sikhs. Nearby is the Lok-Pal Hemkund Lake, with its crystal clear waters and four peaks surrounding it.
Hemkund is situated near the valley of the flowers a Holy lake. Its an important pilgrimage destination of the Sikhs and Hindus. Along the shores there is the sacred Sikh Shrine where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru unified with God after prolonged mediation in his previous birth.

Closer to that is the Lakshman Temple where Lakshman performed his penance. The surroundings with snow-clad mountains offers a scenic sight