Panch Badri: The Five Sacred Badri Temples of Uttarakhand

Tradition holds that Badrinath itself, known as Vishal Badri, is the principal and best known of the five, while the other four each carry their own katha. Vridha Badri is said to be where Vishnu first appeared to sage Narada in the form of an old man, and Yogdhyan Badri is associated with King Pandu's penance, said to house an image of Vishnu in deep meditation.

Bhavishya Badri is believed in tradition to be the site where Badrinath's worship will one day be relocated should the present shrine become inaccessible, and Adi Badri, near Karnaprayag, is a cluster of ancient temples traditionally linked to Adi Shankaracharya.

Devotees who visit all five Panch Badri shrines believe they gain the complete blessing of Lord Vishnu across the different phases of his presence in the Himalayas, from the sage's penance to the promise of the future.

The circuit is less demanding than Panch Kedar, as most of the four secondary shrines are more accessible by road.

Badrinath (Vishal Badri) follows the well-known seasonal pattern, opening around Akshaya Tritiya and closing around Diwali.

Adi Badri, Yogdhyan Badri, Vridha Badri and Bhavishya Badri, being at lower altitudes, are generally accessible for a longer part of the year, though devotees are encouraged to check local conditions before visiting each shrine.

The four secondary Badri shrines are spread across the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and can largely be reached by road from Karnaprayag and Joshimath, making them easier to combine with a Badrinath yatra.

The nearest railway station for the region is Rishikesh, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.

Devotees chant Om Namo Narayanaya at each of the Panch Badri shrines. Simple meaning: salutations to Lord Narayana.

The Panch Badri yatra reminds devotees that the divine is present in many quiet forms, not only in the most famous one - worship is an act of faith and love, not a transaction.