Panch Badri

Lord Vishnu is worshipped at Panch Badri in different forms. These are as follows:

Badri Vishal : Main shrine of Lord Badrinath ji is known as 'Badrinath'.

Bhavishya Badri : (2744 m). The shrine is 19 km away from Joshimath, which is supposed to be an alternative seat of Lord Badrinath ji, if for some unknown reason, 'Badrinath' shrine disappears. An image of God 'Narsing' is kept here, which is worshipped by the devotees coming from Tapovan Dhauliganga side. Pilgrims have to trek for 6 km to reach the shrine.

Yogdhyan Badri : (1920 m). The shrine is 23 km short of Badrinath shrine, located at Pandukeshwar. It is here that King Pandu is believed to have meditated after the victory over the 'Kauravas' and before leaving for his heavenly abode.

Vridha Badri : (1380 m). This is the first holy place of Lord Badrinath ji located at Animath. Animath is 8 km short of Joshimath approachable by motorable road. Before Badrinath was designated one of the four 'Dhams' of Hindus by Adi-Shankaracharaya, the idol of Badrinath ji was woshipped here. Vridha Badri remains open throughout the year.

Adi-Badri : Adi-Badri is 19 km away from Karanprayag, on the Chaukuthia Ranikhet road, where a group of 16 temples dating back to the Gupta age, are in existence. These temples were made with the idol of lord Vishnu to spread Hinduism to every remote comer in the country by Adi-Shankaracharya.

Panch Badri Itinerary