This is the holiest of the four main shrines,having the splendid Neelkanth mountains behind.Once the spot was carpeted with wild beans,ie 'badris', hence was famous as 'Badri Van'.

The temple has three sections-Garbha Griha, Darshan Mandap and Shobha Mandap.There are 15 idols in the temple complex, each sculpted in black stone.Oher images include Laxmi (Vishnu's consort), Garud (Vishnu's mount), Shiva,Parvati and Ganesha.Whereas the principal idol is Vishnu in a meditative posture with Nara-Narayan on its side.

Legend is that,when the river Ganga was requested to flow down to earth, to help the mankind,the earth was unable to withstand it's force.So, the river Ganages got split into twelve holy channels and Alaknanda was one of them which later became the abode of Lord Vishnu( Badrinath).

Badrinath is also known as 'Vishal Badri' and is one of the Panch Badris

Panch Badris or Five Badris
There are four other smaller badri temples besides the main temple.These are together termed as the panch badris or five badris. Very few pilgrims however, visit the other four Badri temples.

Yogadhyan Badri (1920 m.)
This is very small and closest to the main temple of Badrinath which is the winter home for the idol at Badrinath.

Bhavishya Badri (2,744 m.)
It is situated at Subain near Tapovan, 17 km east of Joshimath.It is believed that. when evil force exceeds the limits, the two mountains Nar,Narayan at Badrinath will fall on each other closing the route to the present Badrinath.Lord Badrinath will then appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here instead of the present one.

Bridha Badri or the 'Old Badri'
This is the third temple on the main Rishikesh-Badrinath oad at Animath. It is believed that Badrinath was worshipped here before its enshrinement by Shankaracharya at the main Badrinath seat.

Adi Badri
This is the farthest from other badris. It is approachable from Karnaprayag by a motorable road enroute Ranikhet. The temple complex consist of 16 smaller temples.

Seven of these temples belong to the late Gupta period. The main temple is distinguished by a pyramid shaped raised platform, with a black stone idol of Vishnu.

Tapt Kund
Before entering the Badrinath temple,the devotees take a holy dip in the natural thermal springs on the banks of the river Alaknanda,It is experienced that the kund-water has medicinal properties.

Neelkanth
This is a snowy peak in the shape of a pyramid which towers above the Badrinath temple.

Satopanth
This is a lake with three corners,situated at an elevation of 4,400 mts. above the sea level. It is named atter the Hindu triad- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, who are believed to occupy one corner each of the lake.

Mata Murti Temple
This is the temple,dedicated to the mother of Shri Badrinathji, on the right bank of Alaknanda river.

Brahma Kapal
This is a flat platform,on the bank of river Alaknanda where Hindus perform propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.

Mana Village
This is considered to be the last Indian village,on the route, before Tibet.The rock cave of saint Ved Vyas is situated here.Bhim Pul- a natural bridge over the Saraswati river and Vasundhara Falls are the main attractions here.

Panch Prayag
This is the five important confluences- Deoprayag, Nandprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Vishuprayag, form the Panch Prayag.

Deoprayag
This is the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers where ancient stone scriptures are found.Shiv Temple and Raghunath Temple are the significant spots here.

Rudraprayag
This is the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers where the Rudranath and Chamunda Devi temples are attraction.

Karnaprayag
This is the confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers with temples of Uma and Karna.

Vishnuprayag
On this confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers, Lord Vishnu temple exists by a pool called Vishnu Kund.