Badrinarayan Temple – The Holy Abode of Lord Vishnu in Badrinath | Uttarakhand

📍 Badrinarayan Temple – Badrinath, Uttarakhand

Badrinath is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, nestled between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges and overlooked by the majestic Nilkantha peak. The temple lies at an altitude of 3,133 meters on the left bank of the sacred Alakananda River, around 301 km north of Rishikesh.

The name "Badri" comes from a wild berry native to the region. According to legend, when Lord Vishnu meditated here, Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a Badri tree to shield Him from harsh weather — hence the name Badari Narayan.

Badrinath is one of the 108 Divya Desams and holds great spiritual value for Vaishnavites. It is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya and later reconstructed by the Garhwal kings. The temple, now over 200 years old, is conical in shape and houses 15 sacred idols.

The main deity, Badari Vishal, is depicted seated in a meditative Yogamudra, with two hands holding the Shankha and Chakra, while the other two rest peacefully on His lap.

It is believed that Lord VishnuRishi Narada

that the forms of Nar and Narayana were His own. Rishi Narada is said to continue his penance here, chanting the sacred Ashtakshara mantra.

Behind the main temple, there is a shrine for Goddess Lakshmi, and another for Lakshmi Narasimha. Shrines dedicated to Adi Shankara, Desikacharya, and Ramanujacharya also exist in the complex, making it a spiritually holistic pilgrimage center.