The Temple of Shri Badrinathji on the bank of the alaknanda river , dates back to the alaknanda river , dates back to the vedic times , situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts . , the present temple is believed to have been built by adi guru shankaracharya - an 8th century 's philosopher -saint , who also established a math here . also known as vishal badri , badrinath is one of the panch badris.
Cradled in the twin montain ranges of nar and narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines , badrinath along the lift bank of the river alaknanda . With the backdrop, it is an important destination on the sacred itinerary of every devout hindu . Once the spot was carpeted with 'badris ' or wild berries and hence was famous as 'badri van'.'
The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends from mythology . its sanctity is emphasised in the ancient scriptures as "there are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens , earth and the nether world ,but there has been none equal to badri , nor shall there be " Legend has it when the ganga was requested to descend to earth to help the suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent . therefore the mighty ganga was split into twelve holy channels. Alanknanda was one of lord vishnu or badrinath.
The temple remains closed duriing the winter season and is open from april - may to octobr - november.
How to Reach Badrinath
Airport: Jolly Grant, (317kms.)
Railhead: Rishikesh, (300kms .) Kotdwar ,(327 kms.)
Road: Well connected to rishikesh , Haridwar , dehradun , kotdwar And other hill stations of Garhwal and kumaon region.
