Things to do in Badrinath — the temple, Mana, Vasudhara and Pandukeshwar
Badrinath is a pilgrim town first, and most of what there is to do follows the temple and the old stories around it. Here are seven things, in order of distance from the town, with our measured road times.
1. The Badrinath Temple
The Char Dham shrine to Vishnu as Badrinarayan, about 2 minutes from the town centre, open from late April to early November. Carry your yatra registration and an identity card. Badrinath Temple.
2. Tapt Kund
The hot sulphur springs under the temple, at about 55 °C all year, where many pilgrims bathe before going up. Beside them are the small ponds of Narad Kund and Surya Kund.
3. Mana village
About 3 km and 7 minutes up the road, at about 3,200 m: the last village before the Mana Pass, now called India's first village. Mana.
4. Vyas Gufa and Ganesh Gufa
The caves above Mana's lanes, where by tradition Vyasa lived while composing the Vedas. A short walk from where cars stop.
5. Bheem Pul and the Mata Murti Temple
The rock lying across the Saraswati, said to have been thrown there by Bhima for Draupadi, and the temple to the mother of Nar and Narayan, with its fair each August.
6. The walk to Vasudhara Falls
A falls about 120 m high, reached on foot from Mana; Wikipedia calls it a three-hour trek, and we budget the same back. Vasudhara Falls, and the day plan.
7. Pandukeshwar
About 23 km and 42 minutes down the valley: four early medieval temples, among them the Dravida-style Yogabadri, named in one account as Badrinath's winter seat. Pandukeshwar.
Plans that put these together
The one-day plan covers the first five, the two-day plan adds Pandukeshwar, and the Vasudhara walk is its own day. Read how to reach Badrinath and when to visit first.
Places around Badrinath
The Badrinath guide →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
What are the top things to do in Badrinath?
The Badrinath Temple and the hot springs of Tapt Kund in the town, then Mana, about 7 minutes up the road, with Bheem Pul and Vyas Gufa. With a spare day, walk to Vasudhara Falls, three hours each way from Mana by Wikipedia's account, or drive 42 minutes down to Pandukeshwar.
How many days do you need in Badrinath?
One full day covers the temple, Tapt Kund and Mana. A second day adds Pandukeshwar or the walk to Vasudhara Falls, and a third covers both. Add the travel days on top, since the road from Rishikesh alone is about 291 km and 521 minutes on our routing.
Is there anything to do in Badrinath that is free?
We have found no published entry fee for the temple, Tapt Kund, Mana or the walk to Vasudhara, but we have not verified the rules, so check locally. What you do need is your yatra registration and an identity card, which Wikipedia notes is required to enter the temple.