Badrinath Temple, in Badrinath in Uttarakhand, is a shrine to Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Badari Narayan. It is also known as Badarinath Temple, Badari Narayan, Shri Badrinath Dham.
One of the four Char Dham shrines and part of the Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand; counted among the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu and the Panch Badri temples. The Akhand Jyoti is believed to keep burning even while the temple is closed in winter. According to tradition, the idol of Badari Narayan was recovered by Adi Shankaracharya from Narad Kund and re-enshrined in the 8th century AD to revive Hinduism in the Himalayas.
Uttarakhand carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Dev Bhoomi, the Land of the Gods, home to the Char Dham Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri and the Shakti temples of Haridwar.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | Opens ~4:30 AM for Mahabhishek; general darshan ~6:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Evening | ~4:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Temple opens ~4:30 AM for the Mahabhishek puja by the Rawal (head priest); general darshan runs morning and evening with a midday closure for the Rajbhog ritual. Timings are set by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and vary during festivals. The temple is open only from around April/May to November; in winter worship shifts to Joshimath/Pandukeshwar.
Poojas and daily rituals
Mahabhishek and Abhishek pujas (early morning), Ved Path, Geet Govind Path, Vishnu Sahasranam Path, and Shayan Aarti; online booking available via BKTC
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Opening (Kapat Khulna) | April-May | The doors open on an auspicious date announced by BKTC, when the Akhand Jyoti is revealed to devotees |
| Mata Murti Ka Mela | Monsoon season | Honours the mother of Nara-Narayana |
| Badri-Kedar Utsav | June | A cultural festival held at Badrinath and Kedarnath |
| Temple Closing (Kapat Bandh) | November | The doors close for winter and the deity's worship moves to a lower valley |
History and architecture
Architecture
The temple has a brightly painted facade and three sections: the Garbha Griha (sanctum), the Darshan Mandap where rituals are conducted, and the Sabha Mandap where pilgrims assemble. The one-metre black-stone idol depicts Vishnu seated in the meditative Padmasana pose, holding conch and chakra.
History
According to tradition, the idol of Badari Narayan was recovered by Adi Shankaracharya from Narad Kund and re-enshrined in the 8th century AD to revive Hinduism in the Himalayas. It was originally kept in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs; in the 16th century the King of Garhwal moved it to the present temple. The site is linked to the penance of the sages Nara and Narayana.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun; nearest railway station is Rishikesh. By road it is reached via Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Joshimath, Vishnuprayag, Govindghat and Pandukeshwar along NH-58. Pilgrims may stay at Joshimath (about 45 km away) and complete darshan in a single day.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Darshan timings vary by source and season; temple open only April/May-November