Badrinath
Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India • 30.74°N, 79.49°E
📖 About Badrinath
- ✦At 3,125 metres elevation, May temperatures reach only 20.7°C (69.3°F) - cold mornings year-round
- ✦Temple opens late April or early May, closes Diwali in November - shut 5 months
- ✦Last motorable Char Dham shrine, 44 km from Joshimath on NH58 mountain road
- ✦Heavy monsoon rain in July (223 mm) and August (183 mm) causes frequent landslides
The Badrinath temple sits at 3,125 metres (10,253 feet) on the banks of the Alaknanda river, 301 km from Rishikesh and 44 km past Joshimath. One of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites, the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu opens only from late April or early May through Diwali in November - exact dates follow the Hindu calendar. During open months, May and June see daytime highs around 20-22°C (68-72°F), but nights drop to 1-5°C (34-41°F). The town has a single main street with dharamshalas, hotels, and food stalls serving pilgrims.
The current temple structure dates to the 8th or 9th century, though legends trace the site to the Vedic period. The deity is a black stone idol of Lord Badri Vishal in a meditative posture. Beyond the temple, Tapt Kund - a natural thermal spring at 45°C (113°F) - sits just outside where pilgrims bathe before darshan. The Neelkanth peak rises behind the temple to 6,596 metres. Mana village, 3 km north, marks India's last inhabited settlement before the Tibet border. The town shuts completely in winter - the deity moves to Joshimath's Narsingh temple from November through April when snow blocks the route and temperatures fall to -12°C (10°F).
The town suits pilgrims and high-altitude travellers comfortable with cold weather and basic facilities. Mobile connectivity is patchy - BSNL works better than private networks. The 44 km drive from Joshimath involves steep hairpin bends and narrow sections where landslides block traffic in monsoon, especially July and August when rainfall exceeds 180 mm monthly.
🎯 Things to Do in Badrinath
The temple opens at 4:30 AM for Abhishek puja and closes around 9 PM, with a midday break from 1 PM to 4 PM. Photography is prohibited inside the sanctum, and you must deposit bags and electronics at the cloakroom near the entrance. Peak season in May-June means 2-3 hour queues starting at 6 AM - VIP darshan costs Rs 500-1,000 for faster access (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
The natural thermal spring at 45°C (113°F) sits 20 metres below the temple steps on the Alaknanda bank. Pilgrims bathe here before darshan - separate bathing areas for men and women with basic changing rooms. The water flows year-round, though the kund closes when the temple shuts in November and reopens only in late April or May.
India's last village before the Tibet border sits 3 km north at 3,200 metres, a 10-minute drive or 45-minute walk from Badrinath. The village has 250 residents, a Vyas Gufa cave where the Mahabharata was supposedly written, and Bhim Pul - a natural rock bridge over the Saraswati river. The road ends at Mana, and you need permits from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police post to trek further to Vasudhara Falls, 9 km ahead.
The 122-metre waterfall sits at 3,300 metres, 9 km from Mana village on a steep trail that climbs 300 metres in elevation. The trek takes 3-4 hours one way through boulder fields and stream crossings - start by 7 AM to return before afternoon clouds roll in. You need an ITBP permit from the Mana checkpoint, and the trail is open only May through October when snow melts.
A rock with Lord Vishnu's footprints sits 3 km uphill from Badrinath at 3,380 metres, offering views of the Neelkanth peak and Nar-Narayan range. The climb takes 45 minutes on stone steps - steep but paved. Locals sell tea at the top, though the wind at this elevation drops temperatures 3-4°C (5-7°F) below town even in summer.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | -12.5 | 9.9 | 37 | 52% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | -12.2 | 11.5 | 42 | 56% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | -9.6 | 15.2 | 50 | 60% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | -3.3 | 17.9 | 42 | 55% |
| May | 🌤️ | 1.2 | 20.7 | 68 | 59% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 4.6 | 22.1 | 90 | 68% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 8.8 | 21.0 | 223 | 87% |
| Aug | 🌦️ | 9.0 | 19.2 | 183 | 90% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 5.8 | 18.9 | 108 | 82% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | -0.8 | 17.0 | 28 | 63% |
| Nov | 🧊 | -5.4 | 14.1 | 6 | 47% |
| Dec | 🧊 | -10.3 | 12.4 | 12 | 40% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Chamoli region, not exclusively Badrinath. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Badrinath
💡 Visitor Tips
Pack heavy woolens even in May and June - mornings drop to 1-5°C (34-41°F), and wind chill at 3,125 metres makes it feel colder. Carry layers, a windproof jacket, gloves, and a woolen cap for early morning temple visits starting at 4:30 AM.
Book hotels or dharamshalas 2-3 weeks ahead for May-June and September-October peak season - most fill up during long weekends and festival dates. GMVN and private hotels cluster on the main street, budget dharamshalas cost Rs 400-800, mid-range hotels Rs 1,500-3,000 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
The 44 km Joshimath-Badrinath road has steep drops, no guardrails in sections, and single-lane stretches where vehicles wait for oncoming traffic to clear. Avoid driving after 6 PM - no streetlights and frequent fog. Carry motion sickness tablets if prone to nausea on mountain roads.
Only two-three ATMs function in Badrinath, and they run out of cash during peak pilgrimage days. Withdraw adequate cash in Joshimath before the climb. Most hotels and shops accept UPI through PhonePe or Google Pay, though mobile data is slow - BSNL works better than Airtel or Jio. Few places accept cards reliably.
Most hotels and dharamshalas cluster on the single main street running parallel to the Alaknanda river. Budget dharamshalas run by GMVN and temple trusts cost Rs 400-800, private mid-range hotels charge Rs 1,500-3,000 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Book ahead in May-June and September-October or check availability in person after 10 AM when pilgrims check out.
📍 More Places in Chamoli
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Badrinath
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Badrinath covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Badrinath is located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 3125 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.