Badrinath
Badrinath Town · Chamoli, Uttarakhand · 3,133m
A seasonal Vishnu shrine at 3,133m beside the Alaknanda River. The temple opened on April 23 in 2026; confirm the daily timetable, closing date, road and weather conditions before travel.
Opened April 23, 2026 · Registration Required
Badrinath is seasonal. Registration is free and mandatory. Online or app registration is preferred, while the official FAQ also lists route registration centres and Yatri Mitra assistance.
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
4:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Closed 1:00–4:00 PM
Google Maps listing reviewed 27 Jul 2026 · Seasonal operations can change · Confirm with BKTC
Daily Aarti
Confirm Daily
The official 2026 page says worship, food-offering, opening and closing times will be announced
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Warm, Modest Clothing
Carry warm and waterproof layers · Follow current entrance instructions
Best Time to Visit
Opened Apr 23, 2026
Seasonal temple · The official closing date has not yet been published
Security Rules
Check Current Rules
No clear current phone or photography policy was found on the official pages · Follow entrance signage
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 1–3 hrs
Standard open-season weekdays
Weekends
Approx. 2–4 hrs
Weekends and holiday periods
Festivals
Approx. 3–5+ hrs
Opening day, May–June peak and closing week
Editorial planning range from current pilgrim guidance; BKTC does not publish a live queue estimate
* Entry, identity, phone and dress rules can change. Follow the current official notice and entrance instructions.
Tapt Kund & Maha Abhishek
Sacred hot spring at 3,133 m beside the Alakananda River
Natural hot spring · Optional traditional bath
Tapt Kund is a natural hot spring beside the temple and Alaknanda River. Many pilgrims bathe there before darshan, but the official page does not state that bathing is required for entry. Check current access, water and safety instructions before taking part.
Natural
Hot spring
Optional
Bathing tradition
Confirm
Current access
Planning Puja and Darshan
- 1
Use the official BKTC portal for live puja availability. Do not rely on old fee or time tables.
- 2
Complete the free Char Dham registration online or in the app when possible. Route centres and Yatri Mitra assistance are also listed in the official FAQ.
- 3
BKTC publishes selected puja and evening aarti windows. General darshan access and closing worship can still change, so check the current temple notice before leaving your accommodation.
- 4
Check weather and road conditions before travelling from Joshimath. The final 45 km section is landslide-prone.
Daily Worship Schedule
Selected ritual windows published by BKTC
4:30 AM – 9:00 PMTimings and ritual pauses can change by date and festival. Confirm at badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in before visiting.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Seasonal Temple
2026 season opened 23 April · Check the official closing date before travel
Carry Registration Record
Registration is free · Use the website, app or an official route centre
Tapt Kund
Natural hot spring · Bathing before darshan is traditional, not required
directions_transitHow to Reach Badrinath
By Train
Rishikesh Railway Station · 300 km
By Flight
Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) (DED) · 314 km
By Road
Rishikesh · 300 km
hotelWhere to Stay
GMVN Accommodation
Use the official GMVN booking source for current room types, availability and rates.
Private Hotels and Guesthouses
Inventory is limited in Badrinath. Compare cancellable options and confirm facilities directly.
Joshimath
Joshimath is about 45 km below Badrinath and has a wider range of stays. Whether to stop there depends on road, health and itinerary needs.
Accommodation in Badrinath is limited and road conditions can affect arrival. Compare cancellable options in Badrinath and Joshimath, and follow current health and weather guidance.
wb_sunnySeasonal Planning
Sep – Oct · Best
Often clearer and cooler, but mountain weather remains changeable. Check the announced closing date, road status and daily temple schedule.
May – Jun · Peak
Opening-season crowds and road delays can be heavy. Use official registration, weather and traffic sources and keep bookings flexible.
Jul – Aug · Caution
Monsoon rain can cause landslides and short-notice road closures. Follow official road, weather and health advisories and avoid travelling when authorities restrict the route.
Temple Highlights
Vishnu Shrine in the High Himalayas
Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan. The official Uttarakhand page places the temple at 3,133m between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges beside the Alaknanda River.
Tapt Kund Natural Hot Spring
Tapt Kund is a natural hot spring beside the temple. Bathing before darshan is a local pilgrimage tradition, not a published entry requirement. Follow current access and safety instructions.
Tradition Associated with Adi Shankaracharya
Uttarakhand Tourism says the temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. This is part of the temple tradition; historical details about the present structure differ.
Seasonal Opening Ceremony: Confirmed April 23, 2026
The official 2026 pages confirm that Badrinath opened on April 23. BKTC publishes selected puja and aarti windows; check the current general darshan schedule and closing date before travel.
Major Festivals & Crowd Peaks
Kapat Opening
BKTC and Uttarakhand Tourist Care confirm that the temple opened on April 23 in 2026. Opening-period access depends on weather, road conditions and crowd controls.
What to do: Use the official registration, weather and road sources before travel. Choose flexible accommodation and transport.
Festival and Special-Day Schedules
The official 2026 page does not publish one fixed festival timetable. Special worship, traffic controls and road delays can change daily.
What to do: Check BKTC, Tourist Care, weather and district notices close to the travel date.
Kapat Closing: Bhai Dooj
Badrinath closes seasonally for winter. The official page reviewed had not yet announced the 2026 closing date.
What to do: Do not plan around an estimated November date. Wait for the BKTC announcement and use cancellable bookings.
The Story of Badrinath
Badrinath is dedicated to Vishnu as Badrinarayan. Hindu texts and local tradition connect the area, also called Badrikashrama, with meditation and the sages Nar and Narayan. These are religious traditions rather than documented accounts of the temple's founding.
The official Uttarakhand tourism page says the temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The shrine has been repaired and rebuilt over time. Its colourful mountain-temple facade is one of Badrinath's most recognisable features.
Many pilgrims include Tapt Kund as part of their Badrinath tradition. Bathing is optional and is not a condition for temple entry.
Religious practice note
Nearby Temples & Sites
Mana Village
near_me About 3 km · Check local transport
A high-altitude village near Badrinath with sites linked by tradition to Vyasa, Ganesha and the Mahabharata. Check road, walking and border-area instructions locally.
Brahma Kapal
near_me 0.5 km · 5 min walk
A sacred platform on the Alaknanda where families perform ancestral rites such as tarpan and shraddha. Ask an authorised local priest about the current procedure and fee before agreeing to a service.
Vasudhara Falls
near_me About 10 km from Badrinath · Via Mana
Government pages describe the route as about 10 km from Badrinath and roughly 5–7 km from Mana. Check the current trail locally and attempt it only with suitable fitness and preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is registration mandatory for Badrinath? How do I register?
Yes. Registration is mandatory and free. Use registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the official app before travel when possible.
The official FAQ also lists route registration centres, including Joshimath and Badrinath, plus Yatri Mitra assistance. Carry your registration record and accepted ID.
How do I reach Badrinath from Rishikesh?
By Road: Uttarakhand Tourist Care lists about 300 km from Rishikesh and a usual journey of 10–12 hours through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Joshimath and Badrinath. Road and weather delays can add time.
By Train: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the main railheads; continue by road.
By Air: The official page mentions charter helicopter services from Dehradun. Confirm current operator, route, fare and weather policy directly.
What is the altitude at Badrinath? Do I need to worry about altitude sickness?
Badrinath is at 3,133m. BKTC warns that high-altitude travel can expose pilgrims to low oxygen, cold and strong ultraviolet radiation.
Travel gradually, follow the official health advisory, and seek medical help if you feel unwell. People with relevant health conditions should consult a clinician before the journey.
Is Badrinath accessible in winter? When does it close?
Badrinath is seasonal. It opened on April 23, 2026, but the official page reviewed had not yet published the 2026 closing date.
Do not plan around an estimated November date. Use BKTC and Uttarakhand Tourist Care for the closing announcement and road-access status.
What unique features distinguish Badrinath from other Char Dhams?
Badrinath is a seasonal Vishnu shrine at 3,133m, between the Nar and Narayan ranges beside the Alaknanda River. Tapt Kund, a natural hot spring near the temple, is part of local pilgrimage tradition.
Data sourced from badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in (BKTC official portal) and Uttarakhand Tourist Care. The April 23 opening is confirmed, and BKTC publishes selected puja and aarti windows. Check current general darshan access and the closing date before travel. Registration is free and mandatory; route centres are available.