A Complete Guide of Panch Badri Yatra 2024
The Panch Badri Yatra in Uttarakhand is not just visiting 5 temples, it is special trip for Hindus by touching all significant places of Lord Vishnu. This temple is situated in the beautiful Garhwal Himalayan mountains, in Uttarakhand, India. You must have a question in mind- What is Panch Badri Yatra and where it is? Panch Badri Yatra will take you to five ancient temples dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Vishnu, each with its own special meaning and significance.
If you are a devoted pilgrim seeking enlightenment through spirituality or chance to feel Lord Vishnu's presence or an adventurous traveller who wants to experience natural beauty and cultural heritage, the Panch Badri Yatra is for you, it will give you an unforgettable experience of your lifetime. In this detailed guide of Panch Badri Dham Yatra, we will try to give you a proper guide, and provide you with all the information you need to plan your 2024 Panch Badri Yatra.
What is Panch Badri Yatra?
The Panch Badri Yatra is a spiritual journey that is a joint darshan of five holy temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. These temples include Vishal Badri (Badrinath), Yogdhan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Vridha Badri, and Adi Badri. This region stretches from Satopanth (about 24 kilometers above Badrinath) to Nandprayag in the south, also the home to several important temples that are considered as the actual presence of Lord Vishnu. This entire area is known as Badri Kshetra. The Badri Kshetra is a significant pilgrimage destination for both devotees of Lord Vishnu and other followers of Hinduism. Now let's understand the details of every temple one by one:
Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple, also known as Badrinarayan Temple, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is located in the town of Badrinath in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The temple is part of the important Char Dham and Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuits, which makes this place a popular spiritual destination. The temple is open only for six months each year, from late April to early November, due to the cold weather in the Himalayan region.
Description
The temple is situated at the height of 3,133 meters (10,279 feet) besides the Alaknanda River. Inside the temple there is a one-meter-tall black stone statue of Lord Vishnu as Badrinarayan. This statue is considered as one of the eight self-manifested statues of Vishnu.
History
Badrinath Temple has a long history, Lord Badrinath is mentioned in various ancient Vedic scriptures. According to historians, in the 8th-century philosopher Adi Shankara converted a Buddhist shrine into a Hindu temple here. It is also a belief that Lord Vishnu meditated at this site. Meanwhile, his wife Lakshmi protects him from cold weather, forming herself as the Badri tree. After that, Vishnu named the place Badrika Ashram.
How to Reach
Badrinath can be reached by air, train, and road. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, around 340 km away. The closest railway station is Rishikesh, about 320 km from Badrinath. By road you can take private buses and taxis from Delhi or Rishikesh to the temple.
Yog Dhyan Badri
Yog Dhyan Badri is a peaceful place in Uttarakhand, India, located at 1,920 meters above sea level in Pandukeshwar. Distance of Yog Dhyan Badri from Badrinath is 24 km on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. This spot is special because of its connection to the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata.
History
In ancient times, King Pandu, the father of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata, came here to meditate and seek forgiveness for a mistake. It is said that he placed a statue of Lord Vishnu in the Yog Dhyan Badri temple. The Pandavas, heroes of the Mahabharata, were born here and also meditated after their victory in the war.
Culture
The sanctuary has a statue of Vishnu in a meditative pose, which is why it's called Yog Dhyan Badri. The area was ruled by the Katyuri Rajas in the past, known as Panchal Desh. Yog Dhyan Badri is additionally viewed as the winter home of the Utsava-murti of Badrinath, when the sanctuary of Badrinath is shut, and many pilgrims visit to offer prayers.
How to Visit
You can reach Yog Dhyan Badri by air, train, or road. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, about 320 km away. The closest railway station is Rishikesh, around 290 km away. From there, by road you can reach Pandukeshwar on NH 07 by taking a taxi or bus.
Excited? Read This Panch Kedar Yatra Guide for detailed Information
Bhavishya Badri
Located 17 kilometers to the east of Joshimath on the Joshimath-Lata-Malari route is Bhavishya Badri, a special place. It sits at a height of 2,744 meters (9,003 feet) and is a holy spot where you can go on a journey to worship. It is said that in the future, when the usual way to Badrinath is blocked, Lord Badrinath will be worshipped here. To reach this sacred place, you have to walk through Tapovan along the Dhauliganga River.
At the temple, there is a statue of Narasimha, a form of Vishnu with a lion's head. It is believed that when it gets dark (times of great evil) in the world, the mountains of Nara and Narayana will stop people from reaching Badrinath. Then, Lord Badrinath will be worshipped at Bhavishya Badri. To reach Bhavishya Badri, you must walk through beautiful forests and landscapes. You can also drive to Saldhar, a village 19 kilometers from Joshimath, and then walk 6 kilometers to the temple.
Vridha Badri
The Vridha Badri Temple is in Animath village, Uttarakhand, India. It's a special Hindu temple for Lord Vishnu. It's 1,380 meters high and only 7 km from Joshimath. People visit it a lot for religious reasons. It's part of the Sapta Badri Yatra pilgrimage.
Long ago, Lord Vishnu appeared as an old man because of a sage's prayers. That's why the temple is called Vridha Badri, meaning 'old man' and 'Vishnu.' The statue of Lord Vishnu in the temple looks like an old man.
It's said that Vishwakarma made the first idol of Badrinath, which was later taken to the main Badrinath temple by Adi Shankara. The temple is open all year, and priests from South India work there
Adi Badri
Adi Badri is an important temple among the Panch Badri Temples. It is located 17 kilometers from Karnaprayag in the Chamoli district. This old temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is part of a group of 16 smaller temples in the hills. Seven of these temples were built between the 5th and 8th centuries.
Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have built these temples to spread Hinduism to remote areas. When Badrinath was inaccessible due to weather, people worshipped Lord Vishnu at Adi Badri. Also called Helisera, Adi Badri is a small area with temples of different heights.
The main temple is for Lord Vishnu and has a black stone idol of Vishnu holding a mace, lotus, and chakra. South Indian Brahmins are the main priests. Next to the temple is Chandpur fort, once a stronghold of the Parmar kings of Garhwal. Adi Badri is an hour's drive from Karnaprayag, near Chulakot on the way to Ranikhet. As Badrinath becomes Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri will be known as Yog Badri.
Plan Your Panch Badri Yatra 2024
Now that you have learned about the importance of the Panch Badri Yatra, it is time to start planning your 2024 pilgrimage. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
The Panch Badri temples are open to visitors from late April to early November, this is the time when the weather is better for the Yatra. During winter, the temples may be hard to reach because of heavy snow and rough weather.
Reaching the Panch Badri temples can be tough, because throughout the journey you must drive on narrow and dangerous mountain roads. Some temples like Yogdhyan Badri and Adi Badri require hiking to get there.
Also Plan Chardham Yatra in 2024 with this ultimate guide
When planning your trip to the Panch Badri temples, you need to find a place to stay and arrange transportation. There are different types of accommodations in the area, from simple guest houses to luxury hotels. It is best to book your lodging early, especially during peak times. You also need to think about your journey logistics, such as setting up local transportation, hiring guides or porters, and packing necessary supplies and equipment for hiking.
Duration of Panch Badri tour package form Delhi is 8 nights 9 days. To plan Panch Badri Yatra from Delhi you can book Tempo Traveller on Rent for a comfortable group travelling together.
Delhi to Panch Badri Travel Route: Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Pipalkoti-Badrinath-Yogdhayn Badri-Bhavishya Badri-Virdha Badri-Joshimath-Adi Badri-Rudraprayag-Rishikesh-Delhi
The package will cover pick up from your location and then head to Haridwar or Rishikesh for overnight stay. After that, next day trip will proceed to Badrinath Dham followed by darshan at all other Badri Dhams in 3 days. The trip will conclude with departure to Rishikesh and then Delhi. For a comfortable long distance trip to mighty Himalayas in Uttarakhand, you can also consider Maharaja Tempo Traveller in Delhi NCR.
The Panch Badri Yatra requires you to be physically fit and prepared. The high altitude and difficult terrain can be challenging, so it's important to get used to the environment and bring the right gear, like warm clothes, sturdy shoes, and basic first aid.
It's also crucial to stay informed about the latest weather conditions and any road closures or landslides that could affect your journey. Talking to local authorities or travel agencies can help you plan a safe and successful Panch Badri pilgrimage.
