Everything for the Badrinath Yatra: the road route from Haridwar through the five prayags, darshan and Tapt Kund, Brahma Kapal, Mana village, opening and closing dates and the best time to go.
By Teerthayan • October 2026
Badrinath is the abode of Lord Vishnu as Badri Narayan, between the Nar and Narayan ranges on the Alaknanda, at about 3,133 m. It is unique among Hindu shrines: it is one of the four dhams of Uttarakhand, one of the four dhams of India with Puri, Rameswaram and Dwarka, and one of the 108 Divya Desams. Unlike Kedarnath, the Badrinath Yatra needs no trek, since the road reaches the town. This guide covers the route, darshan and rituals, Mana village and the opening dates.
Badrinath Yatra at a glance
| Altitude | About 3,133 m |
|---|---|
| From Haridwar | About 320 km by road, 10–12 hours |
| Trek | None; the road reaches Badrinath |
| Season | Late April / May to mid-to-late November |
| Best months | May–June and September–October |
| Registration | Compulsory and free, with Uttarakhand Tourism |
Badrinath opening and closing dates
The opening date is announced on Basant Panchami at the Narendranagar palace in Tehri, and the closing date on Vijayadashami. Badrinath usually opens in late April or early May and closes in mid-to-late November, the last of the four dhams to close. In winter, worship continues at Pandukeshwar and Joshimath; see our Winter Char Dham guide.
The road to Badrinath
From Haridwar and Rishikesh the road follows the Ganga and then the Alaknanda past the five prayags, the sacred confluences:
- Devprayag: the Alaknanda meets the Bhagirathi and becomes the Ganga.
- Rudraprayag: the Mandakini joins, coming down from Kedarnath.
- Karnaprayag: the Pindar joins.
- Nandprayag: the Nandakini joins.
- Vishnuprayag: the Dhauliganga joins, just past Joshimath.
The drive is about 320 km and takes 10–12 hours, so most pilgrims break it at Joshimath (Jyotirmath), the seat of one of Adi Shankaracharya's four mathas, or at Pipalkoti. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
Darshan and rituals
- Tapt Kund: bathe in the hot spring below the temple before darshan.
- Darshan of Shri Badri Narayan: the black stone deity in meditation posture. Morning darshan has the shortest queues. Special pujas such as the Mahabhishek can be booked through the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee.
- Brahma Kapal: on the Alaknanda bank, among the most auspicious places for pind daan and shraddh for ancestors.
- Narad Kund: the pool from which, by tradition, Adi Shankaracharya recovered the deity and re-established the temple.
The chief priest of Badrinath, the Rawal, comes by tradition from the Namboodiri Brahmins of Kerala, the home of Adi Shankaracharya.
Mana village
Three kilometres beyond Badrinath, Mana is one of the last villages before the Tibet border. Visit Vyas Gufa, where Ved Vyas is said to have composed the Mahabharata; Ganesh Gufa; the source of the Saraswati; and Bhim Pul, the rock bridge over the Saraswati. For the fit, the Vasudhara falls are a walk of a few kilometres beyond Mana.
Planning tips
- Register every pilgrim with Uttarakhand Tourism before travelling.
- Stay a night at Badrinath to see the evening aarti and take an early darshan.
- Monsoon: July and August bring landslides between Joshimath and Badrinath, so keep a buffer day.
- Nearby: Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers are reached from Govindghat, on the way.
Badrinath Yatra packages
Most pilgrims combine Badrinath with Kedarnath: our Do Dham Yatra from Haridwar covers both in 6 days from ₹21,900, and the Do Dham Yatra from Delhi in 8 days. Badrinath is also the first stop of the Char Dham of India Yatra with Puri, Rameswaram and Dwarka. Read next: our Kedarnath Yatra guide.
FAQs
When does Badrinath open in 2027?+
The opening date is announced on Basant Panchami at the Narendranagar palace in Tehri. Badrinath usually opens in late April or early May and closes in mid-to-late November.
Is there a trek to Badrinath?+
No. The road goes all the way to Badrinath town, and the temple is a short walk from the parking area.
How far is Badrinath from Haridwar?+
About 320 km by road, 10 to 12 hours of driving. Most pilgrims break the journey at Joshimath or Pipalkoti.
What is Brahma Kapal at Badrinath?+
A ghat on the Alaknanda near the temple where pind daan and shraddh for ancestors are performed. It is considered among the most auspicious places for these rites.
How many days does the Badrinath Yatra take?+
About 4 days from Haridwar or Rishikesh, or 6 days when combined with Kedarnath as the Do Dham Yatra.
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