Badri refers to a berry that was said to grow abundantly in the area, and nath refers to Vishnu. Badri is the Sanskrit name for the Indian Jujube tree, which has an edible berry. Some scriptural references also refer to Jujube trees being abundant in Badrinath. Legend has it that Goddess Lakshmi took the form of the berries to protect Lord Vishnu from the harsh climate during his long penance.

Located only a few kilometers from the Indo-China (Tibet) border, Badrinath is generally a two-day-long journey from either Kedarnath, the site that precedes it in the Char Dham circuit, or one of the main disembarkation points on the plains. Hemkund Sahib, an important Sikh pilgrimage site, is on the way to Badrinath, so the road is especially crowded during the summer pilgrimage season. The temple and its substantial surrounding village are accessible by road.

There is a hot spring near the temple, and many saints live in the surrounding mountains all year round despite the harsh winter at such high elevations.

The northern math established by Adi Sankara is nearby at Jyotirmath.

The best time to visit Badrinath is between June and September. Warm clothes are recommended all year.

How to reach

• Air
  Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
• Rail
  Nearest railheads are at Rishikesh and Kotdwara.
• Road
  Badrinath is connected by good motorable roads with Rishikesh, Dehradun, Kotdwara and other hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon region.