City-information for Badrinath

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Badrinath is the abode of the Nara-Narayana sages and is a great place of pilgrimage. According to the Srimad Bhagavatam even five thousand years ago this holy place was being visited by such holy persons as Uddhava, and even at that time the place was known to be very old. It is one of the eight self-manifested holy tirthas in India (Svayam Vyakta Kshetras).
There are four dhamas, or kingdoms of God, which represent the planets of the spiritual sky, consisting of the brahmajyoti and the Vaikunthas. These are Badrinath, Rameswara, Jagannath Puri, and Dwarka. Faithful Hindus visit all these holy places for perfection of spiritual realization. Badrinath is a very important pilgrimage place and is very dear to Lord Krishna. Badri is the name of the Ilandai tree, which is a favorite of Maha-Laksmi.

The statement from the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.4.22) is: "There in Badrikashram the Personality of Godhead, in His incarnation as the sages Nara and Narayana, had been undergoing great penance since time immemorial for the welfare of all living entities."

Uddhava was sent to Badrikashram by Lord Krishna. It is stated in the Srimad Bhagavatam (11.29.44): "The Supreme Lord said: My dear Uddhava, take My order and go to My ashram called Badarika, purify yourself by touching and also bathing in the holy waters there, which have emanated from My lotus feet, rid yourself of all sinful reactions with the sight of this sacred Alakananda River."

The Skanda Purana says: "There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell; but there is no shrine like Badrinath so far in the future."

Badrinath is also called "Narada Kshetram" since Narada Muni attained liberation here in five days. Gautama Rishi, Kapila, and Kasyapa are said to have come here, and Sankaracarya established a temple here. Sankaracarya visited some 1,225 years ago; Ramanujacarya visited 955 years ago; Madhvacarya visited twice some 735 years ago; and Lord Nitayananda visited 500 years ago.



During the season about 1,800 pilgrims a day come to Badrinath, 3,000 a day during May and June, which adds up to about 250,000 Pilgrimages a year. Pilgrims chant "Bolo Badri Vishal ki jai" and "Bolo Badri Narayana ki jai."

Badrinath is at an elevation of 10,244 feet, on a small pleteau between Narayana Parbat and the Alakananda River. The Nara and Narayana peaks tower over Badrinath. It is located 301 km north of Rishikesh. Gaurikund (by Kedarnath) to Badrinath by road is 233 km.