Against the backdrop of the Neelkanth peak,nestled between the Nar and Narayan mountains,by the banks of river Alaknanda,at an altitude of 10,276 feet above sea level,is Badrinath.According to legend,Lord Vishnu meditated here,while his consort Lakshmi took the form of a berry(badri) tree to offer him shade.Although the berry tree is not seen anymore,the name Badrinarayan stayed.Narad,hi main devotee,also stayed here.

Another legend linked with Badrinath temple is that of Ghanta Karn,a devout bhakt of Shiva who hung huge bells over his ears so that he would not have to hear the name of any other god,including Vishnu.After severe penance,when Shiva offered him a boon,he asked for salvation.Shiva,knowing of Ghanta Karn’s partiality and wanting him to accept Vishnu’s divinity as well,told him that only Vishnu could grant him salvation.Ghanta Karn then immersed himself completely in Vishnu’s worship.The lord blessed Ghanta Karn and offered him a place at his temple in Badrinath,making him the lokpal(guardian deity) of the region.

When Buddhism became the dominant religion in India,the idol of Badrinath was thrown into the Narad Kund near by.Adi Shankaracharya retrieved it and re installed the deity for worship.He appointed a Namboodiri Brahmin from Kerala as rawal in Badrinath,the tradition still continues.The Keralite rawals are assisted by local vedpathis and priests from the local Dibri community.

The presidingdeity is a mediating Lord Vishnu in black stone.A group of idols in the temple which include Ganesh,Lakshmi,Narayan,Kuber,Uddhav,Garud and Narad,form the ‘Badrish Panchayat’.Ghanta Karn is also worshipped here.Traditionally the yatra to Kedarnath is taken before coming to Badrinath.For the devotee who has been unable to do so,the temple of Adi Kedareshwar nearby is to be visited first.

The original Badrnarayan temple,built in the time of Adi Shankaracharya,has been rebuilt several times over due to damage from avalanches and snowfall.The present day temple,with a glided cupola,was built about two centuries ago.Facing the temples,by the banks of the Alkananda,is a hot water spring known as Taptkund,a bath which is refreshing.

The main attraction in Badrinath is Badrinath Temple and the five day winter closing ceremony which is an annual ritual,it is believed lamp lit on the day of closure of the temple for winter,remains lit through out,till the temple doors are reopened during summers on which devotees come for sacred Jyoti Darshan.