Vridha Badri-The old Badrinath

Bridha Badri or the 'old Badri' is a temple about 7 kms short of Joshimath, on the main Rishikesh-Badrinath motor road at Animath.It is believed that Badrinath was worshipped here before its enshrinement by Shankaracharya at the main Badrinath seat.

The idol of Badrinath carved by the divine Vishwakarma was enshrined and worshipped here. It is said that when mankind entered the age of Kali, Vishnu chose to remove himself from the temple.

Interestingly, the image was found by Adi Shankaracharya at Naradkund, and restored, though part of it remains damaged. This, the first badri, is located at a height of 1,380 mts. at Animath. While Badrinath closes during winter, the idol and priests hibernating at Joshimath, Vridha Badri remains open throughout the year.

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Badrinath- The Abode Of Lord Vishnu

Badrinath is considered the holiest of the four important shrines in Garhwal. The town is at an altitude of 3,133 m. above sea level, situated on the left bank of river Alaknanda and exactly between the two mountains Nara and Narayan. The shrine is dedicated to Vishnu, the preserver and falls in the religious itinerary of every devout Hindu.

The present temple was built about two centuries ago by Garhwal Kings. It is a conical structure, 15 m. tall and has small cupola of a gilt bull and spire. There are 15 idols in the temple complex, each sculpted in black stone. The principal idol represents Vishnu in a meditative posture and is flanked by Nara-Narayan. Legend dates it prior to the Vedic age though it is believed to have been re-established by Adi Shankaracharya, an important Hindu saint in 8th century A.D. Some of the other images include Laxmi (Vishnu's consort), Garud (Vishnu's mount), Shiva & Parvati and Ganesha.


The temple has been renovated several times due to damages by avalanches. It looks fairly modern now due to the colourful "Singh Dwara" or the main entrance gate. It has three parts- Garbha Griha (the sanctum sanctorum), Darshan Mandap (for pujas) and Shobha Mandap (for devotees to assemble). The revered shrine is still alive with myriad legends from mythology. Its sanctity is emphasised in the ancient scriptures as "There are many sacred spots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the nether world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be.

Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore the mighty Ganaga was split into twelve holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath.


The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda river, dates back to the vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts., the present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya- an 8th century's philosopher-saint, who also established a 'math' here. Also known as 'Vishal Badri', Badrinath is one of the Panch Badris.

The Faithful belief that a gigantic badri tree is suitated here which is not visible to mortal in the age of kali

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Yamunotri –A Temple of Yamuna Devi

Yamunotri, the source of the river Yamuna, is the western most shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, located on a flank of the Bandarpunch peak constitutes one of the four most important pilgrimages, collectively called 'char dham' of the Garhwal Himalayas. The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Jankichatti (7 km. away)

Just like Gangotri (the place where the river Ganges originates) Yamunotri is the place where the river Yamuna originates. This pilgrim centre is in the Uttarkashi region at a height of 3233 mts above sea level on the western side of the Banderpoonch peak which is at a height of 6316 mts above sea level. The last bus stop is Hanuman Chatti which is 14 kms away by foot.

The actual source of river Yamuna lies a further one km. ahead of Yamunotri, at an altitude of 4,421 m, and the trek to this place is extremely difficult, so pilgrims usually offer obeisance at the Yamunotri temple itself. Legend has it that a sage, Asit Muni, used to reside at this secluded spot in ancient times. This ancient temple was made by the King of Tehri, Pratap Shah in 1919. It is said that the temple of Yamunotri was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the last decade of the 19th century. In 1923 this was destroyed, with only the idols left, and was rebuilt. It was once again damaged in 1982.

A hot water pool at Yamunotri is used for the preparation of "PRASAD" normally rice and potatoes, cooked by dipping them in the hot water, tied in cloth bags. During winters this place is buried under a heavy blanket of snow, so the approach is extremely difficult. The track along the river bank is quite magnificent, dominated by a wide panorama of mountains. The whole trek to the temple passes through many large and small rivers, lakes, canals, forests, waterfalls, villages and meadows.

Eventhough there is no proper way to Yamunotri ,Number of people visiting this place increases day by day.People believe that visiting the temple
Once in our lifetime will destroy all our sins and we can lead a long life.Yamunotri such a powerful hindu goddess.

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