BADRINATH TEMPLE, BADRINATH, UTTARAKHAND
Though the “Jai Badri Vishala (Victory to the Great and Wide Badri)!” chant echoes often in Badrinath, the pilgrims’ fervour reflects, apart from religiosity, a sense of achievement, too. The shrine is nestled on a ledge between two mountains. At an altitude of 10,200 feet, perched on a rocky slope over the Alaknanda River, it isn’t the easiest temple to visit. Besides jeeps and buses, many now also opt for helicopters. The area is often inundated with snow and is sometimes accessible for only six months (May-November). To see the 3.3-ft black stone Badrinarayan idol—Vishnu here is seen meditating, not reclining—go in October to avoid crowds and inclement weather.
