- Badrinath
Overview
Lord Vishnu's abode is Badrinath Dham, one of the Chardham situated on the lofty peaks of the snow-clad Garhwal Himalayas. This holy Dham falls in Uttarakhand Chamoli district and the shrine here is said to have been founded by Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the renowned founder and reformer of Hinduism. The Badrinath Dham stands with all divine glory at the sacred confluence of River Alaknanda and Rishi Ganga. The awe-inspiring Nilkantha Peak overshadows the Badrinath Dham which is poised amid the majestic mountain ranges entitled ‘Nar-Narayan’. The mythological aura and spiritual significance of Badrinath Dham cause thousands of pilgrims to flock the place each year. According to legends, Lord Vishnu undertook rigorous penance at this place and to save him from the onslaughts of the scorching sun, His consort Goddess Mahalaxmi took the shape of a Badri Tree to shelter him. In the vicinity of Badrinath, there are many places to visit such as Swargarohini, Sheshnetra, Satopanth, Nilkantha Hill, Mata Murti Temple, Charan Paduka, Brahma Kapal, Mana Village, Vyas Cave, Tapt Kund, and Vasudhara.