Originally seven in number, Panch Badri are reckoned to be the Hindu sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu. These temples, namely, Vishal Badri (Badrinath), Yogdhan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Vridha Badri and Adi Badri are in fact considered the abode of Lord Vishnu and are situated in the area starting from Satopanth about 24 kilometres above Badrinath extending to Nandprayag in the south. This entire area is known as the Badri-Kshetra and is an important pilgrimage destination for both Lord Vishnu devotees as well as other people of Hindu faith.
Sapta Badri is a group seven sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu. It is located in Uttarakhand, India’s Garhwal Himalayas. The Badrinath Temple, also known as the Badri Vishal, is the principal temple of the seven shrines. It can be found at 3,133 m (10 279 ft). The six other shrines are Adibadri (or Bhavishya badri), Yogadhayan Badri or Vriddha Badri; Ardha Badri or Dhyanbadri. The Panch Badri temple circuit had only five temples. It omitted Ardha Badri, Vriddha Badri, and sometimes Dhyan Badri. Rarely is Narasingh Badri included in the Sapta Badri/Panch Badri lists.
Vishnu’s abode in the Alaknanda valley is located approximately 24 km (15 mi) from Satapanth. It extends up to Nandprayag in south. This area is known for being the Badri Kshetra, which contains all the Badri Temples. The word “Badri”, which means “berries”, is added to the names for all seven Sapta Badri temples.
Badrinath’s main shrine is easily accessible by road and air, but it is closed in winter due to snow conditions. The Temple Committee determines the astrological dates. The Raj Purohit (royal priest) decides which day is the auspicious for opening the temple kapat (doors). In October/November, the closing day is Vijayadashami Day. Six temples are found in villages and in remote areas. Some of them are only accessible by hiking along bridle trails.
While some shrines are approached by motorable roads, others are approachable from the nearest road head by trekking, on the Rishikesh-Badrinath main State Highway. The nearest airport to the Sapta Badri is Jolly Grant Airport close to Rishikesh, but 25 kilometres (16 mi) to Dehradun. Motorable road distance to the seven shrines from Rishikesh are: to Badrinath – 299 kilometres (186 mi); Yogdhyan Badri-277 km (172 mi), 23 kilometres (14 mi) short of Badrinath; Adi Badri – 200 kilometres (120 mi) up to Karnaprayag and a further deviation on the Ranikhet road for17 kilometres (11 mi) to reach the shrine; Dhyan Badri – 299 kilometres (186 mi) to Badrinath and a further trek of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) en route to Joshimath; Vriddha Badri – 7 km (4.3 mi) trek from Joshimath; Bhavishya Badri – 280 kilometres (170 mi) up to Siladhar by road and further trek of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the shrine.
