Quick answer: Badrinath Dham, the abode of Lord Vishnu as Badri Narayan, stands at about 3,133 metres on the Alaknanda in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The road goes almost to the temple, about 300 km from Rishikesh and 45 km beyond Joshimath. Yatris bathe at Tapt Kund, take darshan, offer pind daan at Brahma Kapal and visit Mana village 3 to 4 km away. The temple is open from late April or May to mid-November.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Badrinath is the dham most families find the easiest to reach, and one of the most moving to visit. Badri Vishal sits between the Nar and Narayan ranges with the Neelkanth peak behind, and the town hums with bhajans from dawn. This guide explains what to do at Badrinath, in the order most yatris do it, along with how to get there, darshan timings, and the places around Mana.
Why Badrinath matters
Badrinath is one of the four dhams of the Uttarakhand Char Dham and also one of the Bada Char Dham of India, with Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram. It is counted among the 108 Divya Desams of Sri Vaishnava tradition. According to tradition, Lord Vishnu did tapasya here, and Goddess Lakshmi sheltered him in the form of a badri (berry) tree, giving the place its name. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with re-establishing worship here, and the chief priest, the Rawal, is by custom a Namboodiri Brahmin from Kerala.
Badrinath opening and closing dates
| Season | Kapat opened | Kapat close | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 April 2026 | 16 November 2026, 9:37 pm | Confirmed; panch puja from 12 November |
| 2027 | Not yet announced | Not yet announced | Opening date traditionally announced on Basant Panchami |
The opening date is fixed each year on Basant Panchami at the Narendra Nagar palace in Tehri. The closing muhurat is announced on Vijayadashami. Before the closing, five days of panch puja are performed: in 2026 these ran from 12 to 16 November, ending with Goddess Lakshmi being seated beside Lord Narayan in the sanctum before the doors close. The next day, the doli of Adi Guru Shankaracharya with Uddhav ji, Kuber ji and Garuda ji leaves for the winter seats at Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath.
How to reach Badrinath
| From | Distance by road (approx.) | Driving time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 300 km | 10 to 12 hours |
| Haridwar | 320 km | 10 to 12 hours |
| Dehradun | 330 km | 10 to 12 hours |
| Kedarnath side (Gaurikund area) | 230 km | 9 to 10 hours |
| Joshimath (Jyotirmath) | 45 km | About 2 hours |
The route follows the Ganga and then the Alaknanda through Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag and Chamoli to Joshimath. The last 45 km beyond Joshimath, past Govindghat and Hanuman Chatti, is the most landslide-prone part and is worth driving early in the day. Vehicles are not allowed on mountain roads between 10 pm and 4 am during the yatra.
Most families break the journey at Rudraprayag, Srinagar or Joshimath rather than driving 300 km in one day. Nearest railheads are Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun; the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
What to do at Badrinath, step by step
- Bathe at Tapt Kund. This natural hot spring sits just below the temple steps, beside the icy Alaknanda. Tradition holds that Agni Dev resides here. The water is hot, so step in slowly, especially elders.
- See Narad Kund and the five shilas. Narad Kund, a pool in the river below Tapt Kund, is where the murti of Badri Narayan is said to have been recovered by Adi Shankaracharya. The Panch Shila (Narad, Narsimha, Varaha, Garud and Markandeya) are nearby rocks.
- Take darshan. Climb the colourful Singh Dwar to the temple. The black stone murti of Badri Narayan is seated in padmasana. Darshan is brief on busy days, so prepare yourself in the queue.
- Offer pind daan at Brahma Kapal. A flat rock on the bank of the Alaknanda, a few minutes’ walk north of the temple, where shraddh and pind daan for ancestors are performed. Many families believe that pind daan here brings lasting peace to the pitrs. Local pandas conduct the rites; settle the dakshina before you begin.
- Attend the evening aarti and, if you can, the Shayan aarti when the Lord is put to rest for the night.
- Visit Mana, the next morning or the same afternoon.
Badrinath darshan timings and puja
The temple opens very early, around 4:30 am, for the Maha Abhishek and other morning pujas, which are booked in advance. General darshan usually runs from the early morning to around noon, and again from mid-afternoon until the evening aarti and Shayan aarti around 8:30 to 9 pm. Exact timings are notified by the Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee and can change on festival days and in the closing weeks, so check locally.
- Booking pujas: Maha Abhishek, Abhishek, Vishnu Sahasranama path and other pujas are booked through the temple committee’s official website, which needs an Indian mobile number. Slots for peak dates fill early.
- Elderly and differently-abled: in May 2026 the temple committee began special darshan slots of 15 minutes, four times a day, for pilgrims above 70 and differently-abled pilgrims, with ID checked at its counters.
- Phones: phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple premises.
- Prasad: traditional offerings include tulsi, chana dal, mishri and dry fruits, which you can buy at the stalls outside.
Mana village and its sacred spots
Mana sits about 3 to 4 km beyond Badrinath, near the meeting of the Saraswati and the Alaknanda. Border Roads Organisation signboards now call it the “first village of India”, and it is the last settlement before the border with Tibet. A short walk through the village leads to:
- Vyas Gufa, the cave where Maharishi Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata.
- Ganesh Gufa, where Lord Ganesha is said to have written it down as Vyas dictated.
- Bheem Pul, a great natural stone slab over the roaring Saraswati, said to have been placed by Bhima for Draupadi on the Pandavas’ last journey.
- Saraswati river, which appears here briefly before disappearing to meet the Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag.
Paths in Mana are uneven with some steps. Elderly yatris can manage them slowly, with rests.
Vasudhara, Charan Paduka and Mata Murti
- Vasudhara falls: a tall waterfall roughly 5 to 6 km beyond Mana on a rough trail, about two to three hours each way. Tradition says the spray falls only on the pure-hearted. Suitable for fit walkers only.
- Charan Paduka: a rock above Badrinath town bearing what are revered as the footprints of Lord Vishnu, reached by a steep walk of an hour or so.
- Mata Murti temple: dedicated to the mother of Nar and Narayan, a few kilometres from the town towards Mana.
How long to stay at Badrinath
One night is the minimum, so that you can attend the evening aarti and an early darshan the next morning. Two nights allow Mana, Vasudhara or Charan Paduka without hurrying. The altitude, about 3,133 metres, is lower than Kedarnath, but nights are cold all season, and some yatris get headaches or poor sleep on the first night. Drink plenty of water and avoid rushing up and down the town’s steps.
Practical tips
- Registration: compulsory and free for every yatri. See our Char Dham registration guide.
- Cash: ATMs near the temple can run out of cash in peak season. Carry enough from Joshimath or before.
- Network: mobile network is patchy; BSNL usually has the widest coverage.
- Clothing: warm jacket, woollens and a cap, even in June. A towel and a change of clothes for Tapt Kund.
- Construction: redevelopment works under the Badrinath master plan have been under way around the temple town in recent seasons, so some approaches and parking areas may be diverted. Follow local signage.
Panch Badri and nearby shrines
Badri Vishal is the first of the Panch Badri. The others are Yogadhyan Badri at Pandukeshwar, Bhavishya Badri near Joshimath, Vriddha Badri near Animath and Adi Badri near Karnaprayag. Many families also visit Jyotirmath, with Adi Shankaracharya’s math and the Narsimha temple, which is Badrinath’s winter seat. Govindghat, on the way, is the starting point for Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers.
What we arrange
Our Badrinath Dham Yatra is 4 days and 3 nights from Haridwar, with the evening aarti on arrival day and Tapt Kund and morning darshan the next day. The Badrinath Dham Yatra with Joshimath adds Jyotirmath’s temples. For deeper devotion there is the Panch Badri Yatra (5 days), and the Do Dham Yatra combines Badrinath with Kedarnath. We help with registration and darshan planning; puja bookings and pandit dakshina are paid separately. Hindi readers can see our बद्रीनाथ धाम यात्रा page. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
When will Badrinath open in 2027?
The 2027 date has not been announced. By tradition it is fixed on Basant Panchami at the Narendra Nagar palace in Tehri, so expect the announcement in late January or February 2027. In 2026 the kapat opened on 23 April and close on 16 November at 9:37 pm.
Is there any trek to Badrinath temple?
No. Unlike Kedarnath and Yamunotri, the road goes almost to Badrinath town, and the temple is a short walk across the Alaknanda bridge. This makes Badrinath the easiest of the four dhams for senior citizens, though the drive from Rishikesh is long, about 300 km.
What is Tapt Kund at Badrinath?
Tapt Kund is a natural hot spring just below the temple, on the bank of the ice-cold Alaknanda. Yatris traditionally bathe here before darshan; it is believed to be the abode of Agni Dev. The water is quite hot, so enter slowly and take care with elders and children.
Why is pind daan done at Brahma Kapal?
Brahma Kapal is a flat rock on the Alaknanda near the temple where shraddh and pind daan are offered. Tradition holds that offerings made here bring lasting peace to ancestors, and many families come specifically for this. Rites are conducted by local pandas; agree on the dakshina beforehand.
How far is Mana village from Badrinath?
About 3 to 4 km by road. Mana has Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bheem Pul and the Saraswati river, and signboards call it the first village of India. Vasudhara falls is a further 5 to 6 km walk on a rough trail, suitable only for fit walkers.
How many days are needed for Badrinath from Haridwar?
Four days is comfortable: Haridwar to Rudraprayag or Joshimath on day one, Badrinath with evening aarti on day two, Tapt Kund, darshan and Mana on day three, and the return on day four. Rushing it in three days means very long drives.
Where is Badrinath worshipped in winter?
After the kapat close in November, the doli of Adi Shankaracharya with Uddhav ji and Kuber ji goes down to Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath. Winter puja of Badri Narayan continues at the Narsimha temple in Jyotirmath until the temple reopens in spring.