Guide to Badrinath / Panch Badri

Jai Badrinath !

Badrinath is one of the four Bada Char Dham pilgrimage. Mentioned in Vishnu Puran, Mahabharata and Skanda Puran. In Kalyug Badrinath resides here.

Adi Shankara found a Saligram Stone of Vishal Badarinarayan in 4 hand pose in the Alaknanda River. He enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. The King of Garhwal placed the murti to the temple. 

1. Reach Haridwar
   
   
2. Transport :
   Take a bus ( private and government options, Cost Rs.500-1000) or hire private cab cost 10-14K.
   Takes 12 hours maximum
   FOR BUS :
   Get ticket from main bus stand or local agents.
   Timings 4am-7am for direct buses.
   Post 7am get bus till Joshimath via GovindGhat. Won't find hotels near Joshimath bus stand in night so make sure you leave early from Haridwar to directly reach Badrinath on time. 
   Can get shared 4 vehicle at Rs100 till Badrinath
   
   
3. Stay : 
   Ashrams - Cost Rs200-500
   GMVN guesthouse ( check rates in website)
   Private Hotels. Many options range from Rs.500-Rs.5000 depending on rush season.
   
   
4. Food : 
   Alot of options from street, dhabas and restaurants. Rs80-350 thali meals.
   
   
5. What all to do/visit:
   Take a dip in Tapt Kund. Natural warm water kund(hot spring)
   Head for mandir. Takes 2-3hrs in rush. 1 Hour approx in normal.
   Can get pindh dan and pitru dan done here.
   
   
6. What all to carry : 
   Jacket
   Inner/Warm clothes
   Winter Cap
   Gloves
   Blanket
   Good grip shoes for muddy trails.
   Raincoat/Umbrella
   Cash ( network issue so online payment might be difficult at times)
   Powerbank 
   
   
7. Budget :
   5K minimum Haridwar to Haridwar for 1D/1N stay
   
   
   Panch Badri temples including Adi Badri, Vishal Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Yog Dhyan Badri,  Vriddha Badri.
   Sapth Badri : Shri Ardh, Shri Dhyan
   Can't cover in one day in shared taxi. 
   
   Adi Badri :
   The oldest temples, established 16 temples by pandavas before proceeding for heaven, also known as the mediation place of badrinath in Satyug, Treta, Dwapar Yug. It is said to visit this before darshan of Vishal Badrinath Temple.
   16kms from KarnPrayag in Chamoli district. Get bus 7am. Half km walk to temple.
   Can get direct bus to and from Haridwar.
   
   Bhavishya Badri :
   In future reaching Vishal Badri will become tough then will get darshan here. Gradually the murti of Badrinath has started appearing here. 
   How to reach : 
   Can reach via road to Ringi or Saldhar village of pine trees then trek 5-8kms to the temple. JoshiMath to tapovan shared taxi. Only open during the Badrinath months.
   
   Vriddha Badri :
   The idol here of Badrinath is in old age from. Narad muni worshipped Vishnu and he appeared here in aged form. This is open thru out the year.
   How to reach :  
   7 kms from Joshi Math. Can take shared taxi or other modes available. 
   
   Yog Dhyan Badri :
   Idol is in meditative pose. Located in Pandukeshwar, Govind Ghat of Alaknanda river. Pandavas father did Puja of Vishnu here.
   24kms from JoshiMath. 10kms from Hanuman Chatti. You can get shared taxi for here.