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Badrinath Temple: The principal attraction is the temple, located on the right bank of the Alaknanda River. The temple flanked by the two mountains Nar and Narayan is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of gilt bull and spire. Badrinath Temple is divided into three parts - the 'garbha griha' or sanctum sanctorum, the 'darshan mandap' where the rituals are conducted and the 'sabha mandap, 'where devotees assemble. The temple complex has 15 idols, the highlight being the one meter high image of Badrinath, finely sculpted in black stone. It represents Lord Vishnu seated in meditative pose.

Manna Village: The last Indian village on Indo-Tibet border is 5 km away from Badrinath. The village is inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe. As you pass through the village you may see the local people busy in their household work. You may come across women weaving shawls and children playing. Not too far from the village is the Vyas Gufa - the rock cave of saint Ved Vyas, who wrote the Mahabharata; and Bhim Pul - a natural bridge over the Saraswati river, and Vasundhara Falls - a 122 m are located near by.

Joshimath: Joshimath is essentially a base for pilgrims to Badrinath and most pilgrims break their journey at Joshimath. Established by Adi Shankaracharaya in the 9th century, Joshimath is located on the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Dhauliganga River. Places of interest in Joshimath are the Shankaracharaya Temple and the temple of Ugra Narasimha.

Auli: A picturesque ski resort located 9,000 feet above sea level, excellent for winter sports and views of the Himalayas is just 8 km from Joshimath. An interesting way to reach Auli is to take the cable ropeway.

Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib: Just 20 km from Joshimath on way to Badrinath, the 13 km trek to Ghangaria (base camp for the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib) starts at Govindghat. Valley of Flowers is further 9 km up from Ghangaria while the popular Sikh pilgrimage Hemkund Sahib is 6 km from Ghangaria. Read more on Hemkund Sahib

Read travelogues on the Valley of Flowers
Almost heaven – Valley of Flowers
Trek to Valley of Flowers

Panch Badris or Five Badris
Besides the Badrinath Temple there are four other smaller Badri Temples, which are collectively called the Panch Badris or Five Badris.

Yogadhyan Badri: The temple at a height of 1920 m is located at Pandukeshwar 24 km short of Badrinath on Joshimath – Badrinath Highway. It is sleepy hamlet which remains unnoticed by most pilgrims.

Bhavishya Badri: Surrounded by dense forests, the temple of Bhavishya Badri or Future Badri Temple is situated at Subain near Tapovan, about 17 km east of Joshimath on Joshimath – Lata Malari route. According to a legend, when evil is on the rise in this world, the two mountains Nara and Narayan at Badrinath will close up on each other and destroy the route to the present Badrinath. Lord Badrinath will then appear at the Bhavishya Badri Temple and be worshipped here instead of at the present one.

Both Badrinath and Joshimath have a number of hotels and guest houses for tourists. Besides the GMVN tourist rest houses at Joshimath and Badrinath, which can be booked online, there are a good number of hotels in Badrinath and Joshimath. Check more hotels in Badrinath.

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun, 317 km from Badrinath is the nearest airport.

By Rail: Rishikesh Railway Station at 300 km away from Badrinath is nearest railhead. Haridwar and Kotdwar are other near by railway stations.

By Road: Badrinath is approximately 300 km from Rishikesh, the nearest railhead.

Best Time to Visit
Though the temple remains open from May to November (depending on weather), the best time to visit is May-June and September-November.