Badrinath, also known as Badri, is a holy town of Hindus in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. Originally constructed for Vishnu worship, it is one of the holy Char Dham sites worshipped by millions of people annually. badrinath and gangotri are two most beautiful places for visiting point of view.
Goddess Ganga’s most significant temple is also one of the Chardham sites, and the second site is Gangotri. The highest temple dedicated to the goddess Ganga is Gangotri. Although the Ganges actually originates at Gaumukh Glacier, which is 18 km ahead, people revere Gangotri more as the point where Ganga emerged due to the extreme and almost impassable terrain at Gaumukh. The place has a mythological reference in Hindu Mythology and splendid displays of waterfalls, rocky formations, and snowy mountain ranges.
Memorable Journey from Badrinath and Gangotri
Geographical information and history of both cities
Hindus consider Gangotri Temple a very important temple and visit it as one of the sites in the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand. Gangotri is a pilgrim town in Uttarakhand where people worldwide dedicate their time to praying and worship. The river Ganga has been described in most religious and mythological epics. People from anywhere in the world visit Gangotri Dham every year, irrespective of religion and origin. A drop of water at Gangotri is enough to wash people’s sins and redeem them for their naughty deeds.
The Chardham of Uttarakhand also includes the temple of Badrinath, which is part of the list of important Chardhams in the country. The name Badrinath comes from two words: “Badri,” meaning blueberry, which was believed to grow abundantly in this region long ago, and “Nath,” which refers to God Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, people believe that Lord Vishnu undertook a long pilgrimage here, and Goddess Lakshmi appeared as blueberries to shield him from the harsh heat.
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Distance to Badrinath temple from major cities
Here is an overview of the distance guide for Badrinath from major cities with average travel time.
| City | State | Distance in km |
| Dehli | Delhi | 925 |
| Bangalore | Karnataka | 2500 |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | 1900 |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 2700 |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | 800 |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 1500 |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | 2000 |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra | 2200 |
Distance to Gangotri temple from major cities
Here is an overview of the distance guide for Gangotri from major cities with average travel time.
| City | State | Distance in km |
| Dehli | Delhi | 500 |
| Dehradun | Uttarakhand | 241 |
| Haridwar | Uttarakhand | 273 |
| Rishikesh | Uttarakhand | 258 |
| Mussoorie | Uttarakhand | 253 |
| Uttarkashi | Uttarakhand | 97 |
| Chandighar | Chandighar | 348 |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | 730 |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 678 |
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | 331 |
| Agra | Uttar Pradesh | 646 |
How to reach Badrinath
You can reach it by bus, train, car, and aeroplane. Here is a brief overview of transportation options and the estimated travel distance and fare.
| Transportation options | Distance in km | Average travel time | Fare |
| By Car | 300 km | 8-10 hours | 100$-200$ (one way) |
| By Bus | 300 km | 10-12 hours | 10$-20$ |
| By Train | 250 km | 6-8 hours | 20$-50$ |
| By Airplane | 220 km | 1-2 hours | 100$-200$ (whole package round trip) |
How to reach Gangotri
You can reach it by bus, train, car, and aeroplane. Here is a brief overview of transportation options and estimated travel distance and fare.
| Transportation options | Distance in km | Average travel time | Fare |
| By Car | 300 km | 8-10 hours | 100$-200$ (one way) |
| By Bus | 300 km | 10-12 hours | 10$-20$ |
| By Train (Rishikesh) | 230 km | 6-8 hours | 20$-50$ |
| By Airplane (Jolly Grant Airport) | 250 km | 1-2 hours | 100$-200$ (whole package round trip) |
Best time to visit Badrinath
Badrinath remains closed for six months, from November to April. The best time to visit Badrinath is from May to June in the summer. The temperature during this time ranges around 18 degrees Celcius, making it pleasant and comfortable. Another good time to visit Badrinath is September-October, which is the post-monsoon season. It is best to avoid visiting Badrinath during the monsoon season of July-August, as the place is prone to landslides and cloudbursts. The exact date of opening and closing changes every year.
Average temperature in Badrinath
| Month | Maximum temperature | Minimum temperature |
| January | -3° | -11° |
| February | 1° | -10° |
| March | 2° | -8° |
| April | 5° | -4° |
| May | 9° | -2° |
| June | 18° | 7° |
| July | 13° | 4° |
| August | 13° | 7° |
| September | 13° | 5° |
| October | 9° | -0° |
| November | 5° | -5° |
| December | 0° | -9° |
Best time for trip to Gangotri
The most suitable time to visit Gangotri is in May- June and September—November. However, visiting the temple during the monsoon period becomes tough because roads are usually filled with water, as this region receives good rainfall. This temple is normally open for worship until the end of April and closes its doors in the second half of November.
Average temperature in Gangotri
| Month | Maximum temperature | Minimum temperature |
| January (Covered with snow) | -5° | -10° |
| February (Covered with snow) | -3° | –8° |
| March (Covered with snow) | 0° | -5° |
| April | 3° | 0° |
| May | 5° | 0° |
| June | 14° | 5° |
| July | 18° | 10° |
| August | 18° | 10° |
| September | 16° | 8° |
| October | 12° | 5° |
| November | 5° | 0° |
| December (Covered with snow) | -5° | -10° |
Places to visit in Badrinath
Neelkanth
Behind the Badrinath temple is a side valley sliding to the conical shape of Neelkanth peak (6600m). Popularly known as the ‘Garhwal Queen,’ it is a snow-clad pyramid-like mountain that serves as the backdrop of Badrinath. People can visit the Braham Kamal area.
Satopanth
The triangular-shaped lake lies in a region of snow-clad mountains. People also know it as the three gods of the Hindu pantheon: Mahesh, Vishnu, and Brahma. It is said that the Hindu trinity—Mahesh, Vishnu, and Brahma—bathe in this sacred Sarovar on each Ekadasi of the Hindu calendar. (Permission is required to visit.)
Tapt Kund
Note that before entering the Badrinath Temple, you must take a dip in the Tapt Kund. The Tapt Kund is a natural hot water pool filled with water from the sulphur spring, believed to be the residence of Agni, the god of fire. Following the tradition of many Mursi, Kulan, and other people from this region, the bathing area is segregated by gender. While the normal temperature is 55 °C, the water temperature in the pool increases slowly throughout the day. This is regarded as possessing tremendous health-giving qualities. What is regarded here as a remedy for skin diseases is a dip.
Vasuki Tal
This is an altitude lake that one can reach by following a trail that covers a distance of 8 km and rises to a height of 14,200 ft. Moreover, Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul, and Vasudhara Falls are approximately 3-6 km away. Additionally, all these places are associated with Hindu mythology and, therefore, are part of the circuit of the four sacred sites leading to Badrinath.
Leela Dhongi
Badrinath is the place where Lord Shiv originally wanted to perform his tapasya. Therefore, Lord Vishnu decided to meditate here by repudiating evolved gods and nymphs. Therefore, he became a little boy, laid down on a rock, and cried. He would not listen to even a word that Parvati said to console him. Long story short, Lord Shiv could not tolerate more due to this child’s cries, hence moving to Kedarnath.
Places to visit in Gangotri
Gangotri Temple
It’s a religious site and, moreover, part of the four Chota Char Dham Yatra. Additionally, located in Uttarakhand at a height of 3,100 meters, people dedicate the Gangotri Temple to Goddess Ganga. The River Ganga, also known as the Ganges, is a holy river in India, and, furthermore, Goddess Ganga symbolizes its waters. Finally, the comparatively calm and colorless Sulaad temple stands surrounded by Deodar trees, pines, and the Greater Himalayan ranges.
Bhaironghati
Bhaironghati is a small village in the mountains of northern India, where the Jadh Ganga and Bhagirathi rivers converge. It is in the state of Uttarakhand, in the district of Uttarkashi.
Harsil
Harsil is one of the most beautiful and least explored villages in Uttarakhand state in India. It has immense potential for promoting itself as a tourist destination for people who are interested in spending their vacations in search of peace in the lap of nature in the Himalayas. It stands at an altitude of 2620 meters above sea level and is located on the right bank of the Bhagirathi River. Local residents have popularized this small village in recent years among fans of active tourism and admirers of nature.
Surya kund Gangotri
Surya Kund is another important and religious place in and around Gangotri temple, located in the Uttarkashi district in the northern state of Uttarakhand. People visiting Gangotri temple as a part of a pilgrimage also bathe in Surya Kund waterfall, which is believed to be a divine place to worship the Sun god.
Gangotri Glacier
Gangotri Glacier is another beautiful glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas, which are located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state of India. This glacier starts from the northern face of the Chaukhamba mountain range. It is one of the largest sources of the Ganga River and is the largest glacier in the Himalayas, with a size of approximately 27 cubic km.
Accommodation options in Badrinath
| Hotels | Rating | Charges per night |
| Amritara The Avadh | Very Good | $111 + $31 tax |
| Hotel Charan Paduka | Good | $40 + $9 tax |
| Hermitage in the Himalayas | Excellent | $51 + $11 tax |
| New Hotel Snow Crest | Very Good | $76 + $25 tax |
| Bhajan Ashram, Badrinath | Average | $10 + $2 tax |
| Laxminarayan homestay | Good | $28 + $6 tax |
| Hotel New Urvashi | – | $63 + $14 tax |
| Yog1 Badrinath | Good | $18 + $4 tax |
| Sarovar Portico Badrinath | Good | $118 + $21 tax |
| Hotel OM Radhey | – | $40 + $8 tax |
| Hotel Pinnacle Peaks | Very Good | $34 + $8 tax |
| Hotel Laxmi Divine | Good | $50 + $14 tax |
Accommodation options in Gangotri
| Hotels | Rating | Charges per night |
| HOTEL MANISHA | Excellent | $28 + $7 tax |
| Golden heritage dharali | Excellent | $26 + $6 tax |
| Prakriti The Retreat | Excellent | $50 + $10 tax |
| Awana Cottages | Excellent | $72 + $16 tax |
| Heritage Home, Harshil | Excellent | $27 + $7 tax |
| Laxminarayan homestay | Good | $28 + $6 tax |
| Ganga River View | Good | $40 + $9 tax |
| HIMALAYA SADAN | Good | $29 + $7 tax |
| Hotel Shwetambara | Average | $41 + $9 tax |
| Mountain Village Stay | Good | $45 + $9 tax |
| Bhagirathi Sadan | Average | $36 + $8 tax |
| Narayan Palace | Good | $61 + $14 tax |
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People May Ask
1. What is the temperature of Tapt Kund’s bathing area?
The temperature of the water is 55 °C.
2. What is the size of Gangotri Glacier?
It is the largest glacier in the Himalayas, with a size of approximately 27 cubic km.
3. What is the least explored villages in Uttarakhand?
Harsil is one of the most beautiful and least explored villages in Uttarakhand state in India.
4. What do you mean by Gangotri temple?
Gangotri Temple is an important Hindu temple and one of the sites to visit in the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand.
5. Can I take a bus service to reach Badrinath and Gangotri?
Yes, bus service is available.
Bottom lines
Gangotri and Badrinath, two of the holiest shrines in Hinduism, offer a spiritual journey amidst the awe-inspiring Himalayan landscapes. These sacred sites attract devotees from across the globe, seeking blessings and solace in the pristine environment.
The journey to these revered temples is as enriching as the destination itself. The winding roads, lush valleys, and snow-capped peaks create a mesmerising backdrop for the pilgrimage. Immersed in the divine aura of these places, one can experience a profound sense of peace and tranquillity.
