With its great
scenic beauty and attractive recreational spots in the
vicinity, Badrinath attracts an ever increasing number of
secular visitors each year.
Panch Dharas
(a) Prahalad Dhara (b) Kurma Dhara (c) Urbasi Dhara (d) Bhrigu
Dhara (e) Indra Dhara.
Panch Shilas
(a) Narad Shila (b) Varaha Shila (c) Garurh Shila (d)
Markandeya Shila (e) Narsingh Shila.
Tapt Kund
Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda,
where it is customary to bath before entering the Badrinath
temple.
Narad Kund
A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from
where the Badrinath idol was recovered.
Brahma Kapal
A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform
propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.
Sheshnetra
1.5 km away is a boulder having an impression of the
legendary snake, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.
Charanpaduka
3 km away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord
Vishnu is seen on a boulder.
Neelkanth
A pyramidal shaped snowy peak (6,597mt) towering above Badrinath, presents a dramatic sight. It is popularly known as
the 'Garhwal Queen'.
Other Four Badris
Yogadhyan Badri
The temple of Yogadhyan Badri, one of the five Badris, is
located at Pandukeshwar (1920 mt.) just 24 km short of
Badrinath on Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The image here in a
meditative posture, is worshipped at Badrinath. According to
the myth, the Pandavas handed over Hastinapur to king
Parikshit and retired here.
Bhavishya Badri
The temple of Bhavishya Badri is at an elevation of 2,744 mt.
and is surrounded by dense forests. Located at Subain near
Tapovan about 17 km east of Joshimath on Joshimath - Lata -
Malari route. Pilgrims have to trek beyond Tapovan, up the
Dhauliganga river. Tapovan has sulphurous hot springs and the
view of the Tapovan valley towards the north is breathtakingly
beautiful. Traditionally it is believed that a day will come
when the present route to Badrinath will be inaccessible and
Lord Badrinath will be worshipped here. Thus the name 'Bhavishya
Badri' which literally means the Badri of the future.
Bridha Badri
About 7 km short of Joshimath, on the main Rishikesh-
Badrinath motor road, is Animath. It is believed that
Badrinath or Lord Vishnu was worshipped here before the
enshrinement of Badrinath by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. The
temple of Bridha Badri is open throughout the year.
Adibadri
Adibadri is also one of five Badris and is situated quite far
from the cluster of the other four which form the Vishnu-Kshetra.
Approachable from Karnaprayag by a motorable road on way to
Ranikhet, are remains of 16 small temples. Seven among them
are more ancient, with flat roofs belonging to the late Gupta
period. Local tradition assigns the building of the temples to
Shankaracharya. The main temple of Narain is distinguished by
a raised platform in the pyramidal form where the idol is
enshrined. Sculpted out of black stone, the idol of Lord
Vishnu is a metre high.