Badrinath Dham, the breathtaking spot of spirituality and panoramas, has attracted the lion’s share of tourists. Posted in the state of Uttarakhand, this place comes under the “Char Dham Yatra”, mainly sacred for Hindus, believing that it epitomizes “Satyuga”. Consequently, thousands of worshippers flock to this historic temple adoring “Lord Vishnu” and Badrinath’s peacefulness every year. Badrinath’s remote position has made it challenging to reach.
Joshimath is the most popular way to travel to the Badrinath temple on a day tour. Many devotees come to visit the Kedarnath temple first, then head to Badrinath from Sonprayag. Some even proceed from Rishikesh, as it is the nearest Railway station to Badrinath. Buses from New Delhi and helicopter services from Dehradun are also accessible to this beautiful place.
Several other routes exist for reaching Badrinath Dham, such as air, rail, and road. This guide is all here to clarify your doubts regarding “How to reach Badrinath”? Let’s dive in.
How to reach Badrinath by Air
Badrinath by Airplane:
As mentioned before, Badrinath doesn’t have a separate airport due to its distant setting. The town’s closest air gateway is in the capital city of Uttrakhand, i.e., Dehradun. It is 314 kilometers apart by the motor. This domestic airport, known as the Jolly Grant Airport, welcomes passengers from many metropolises. Such cities include New Delhi, Varanasi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Raipur, etc. Airbuses such as Indigo, Spice Jet, and Vistara carry these trips, which can be cheap when booked in advance. After landing at Dehradun, you have to catch a bus to Badrinath. Cabs and rental cars are also available for reaching Badrinath Dham.
*Badrinath Yatra Registration is compulsory before going to visit Badrinath Dham or Chardham.*
Note: Even though this voyage will take up a significant amount of your time, the gorgeous Himalayan landscape along the way will keep up your mood. Please be aware that, depending on climate, minor schedule changes may occur in some seasons (especially on rainy days).
Badrinath by Helicopter:
Helicopters are also an option when you wonder “how to reach Badrinath by air.” Several choppers depart from the Dehradun’s Sahastradhara helipad. Making arrangements ahead of time is necessary since the exit hours may vary. Although this can be a pretty pricey trip, the incredible views of luscious slopes, icy mountains, and colorful communities are worth your every penny. Plus, it can save your minutes as well. So, you can consider booking the Chardham Yatra by Helicopter.
How to reach Badrinath by Train
There are zero railway terminals at Badrinath. That’s Alright! Stations such as Haridwar and Rishikesh are your answers to “How to reach Badrinath by Train?”.
Rishikesh is the closest of these rail tracks. Lying on NH58, which is 295 kilometres prior to Badrinath, it is conveniently connected to India’s primary railway lines. Many trains go to Rishikesh, and numerous accessible roadways connect Badrinath to Rishikesh well. Once you are at the railway stop, you can take buses, vehicles, or cabs to continue your journey.
How to reach Badrinath by Road
Badrinath by Rental Cars:
Most rental vehicle businesses are available from New Delhi, Srinagar, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. They charge around ₹1500- ₹5000 per day, depending upon which location you are coming from and what car type you want. Due to safety reasons, driving after sunset on mountain passes is a bit dangerous. Hence, it’s always best to begin your ride as early as you can.
If you intend to drive yourself, ensure your car is in excellent working condition, and you have everything you need to drive in the mountains. You should carry additional fuel, tyres, and necessary tools. Also, be mindful that rain and landslides can affect your driving. So, if this is your first time driving in the mountains, don’t go for it!
Chardham Yatra Route Map travel guide will help you reach the Badrinath Dham as well as Chardham Yatra Places.
Badrinath by Other Vehicles (Jeeps/Minibuses/ Luxury Buses):
Luxury buses shared jeeps, and other automobiles can be your choices for “How To Reach Badrinath by Road” concerns. They are less expensive and are available in plenty.
In shared jeeps, drivers hold off until the vehicles are fully occupied, usually accommodating 12 to 14 persons. On the other hand, buses are cosier than packed jeeps. They leave the vicinity of the Haridwar train terminal at about 5:00 in the morning and travel all the way up to Badrinath.
Some primary destinations from which you can hop on these vehicles are Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, Haridwar, Chamoli, etc.
Best time to visit Badrinath
Summer season is the best time to visit Badrinath. So make your plans between April and June, when the sun peers out and the weather is warm and gentle. During the daytime, the temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C, and at night, they can go as low as 6°C. Since these months are the famous tourist period, expect crowds and jams, too.
You shouldn’t plan your journey during the monsoon months since the roads are risky to travel on during this period. Also, there are high chances of landslides and heavy rainfall. Hence, this will lead to road disruptions. Pilgrims have the option to book Do Dham Yatra by helicopter packages that will cover both Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham and not the other two Dhams.
Note: Badrinath’s climate is often unanticipated, so it’s always best to have umbrellas and warm clothes in your bags. Moreover, the temple is shut during winter (November to March) due to its bitter temperatures.
Places to Visit Near Badrinath
Badrinath’s majestic setting is provided by Neelkanth Peak, popularly referred to as the “Queen of Garhwal.” Trekking fans can expect this ascent to be challenging and fulfilling.
The neighbourhood of the Badrinath temple is home to numerous holy sites.These include Shesh Netra, Tapta Kund, Surya Kund, Charan Paduka, Hemkund Sahib and Brahma Kapal. Next to Tapta Kund are “Panch Dhara” and “PanchShila,” where Vedic sages have lived and meditated for many years. Furthermore, Pandukeshwar in Chamoli, which consists of two old temples and is renowned for Mahabharata’s King Pandu, is unmissable.
Auli is a worthwhile snow destination to visit from Joshimath. For adventure addicts, Vasudhara Waterfalls (a 6-km hike from Mana Village) and Satopanth Lake (a 25-km hike from Mana) are the perfect choices. Ghangaria and the Valley of Flowers are the must-visit places for nature lovers. Lastly, Malari, Govindghat, Alkapuri Glacier, Niti Valley, Gorson Bugyal, etc., are some other places to visit near Badrinath.
Conclusion
We hope that you find all the details about how to reach Badrinath. Take note of the opening and closing dates of the Badrinath temple. Plan your Yatra well and always follow safety guidelines to have a peaceful Yatra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can take your own vehicle on the Badrinath route during a Chardham Yatra.
The Kedarnath Dham Yatra is considered to be the most difficult trek according to Badrinath Dham.
Rishikesh to Badrinath Dham is situated at a distance of 290 km, which can be covered in 9 hours by road.
