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 bathe 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 (6,59 7mt) 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