Dhyan Badri - The meditating Badri
Relevance and History
Dhyan Badri 2,135 metres (7,005 ft), above sea level is located in the Urgam valley, close to Kalpeshwar on the banks of river Alaknanda. It can be reached from Helang Chatti by a 12 kms trek en route to Joshimath from Badrinath. The legend of Dhyan Badri (meditating Badri) is linked to the Urvarishi, son of King Puranjaya of the Pandavas lineage who meditated in the Urgam region and established the temple of Vishnu. The idol of Vishnu is four-armed, made of black stone and in a mediatative posture. There is also a temple dedicated to god Shiva built by Adi Shankaracharya. Kalpeshwar, one of the Panch Kedar sacred temple of Shiva, is situated 2 kms away. Brahmins from South India serve as head priests in the temple.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is the ideal time for one to visit.
How to Reach
By Road
It is connected by motorable road to Helan Chatti which can be reached through bus or taxi from Joshimath.Joshimath lies on national highway NH58 that connects Delhi with Badrinath and Mana Pass in Uttarakhand near Indo-Tibet border. Therefore all the buses and vehicles that carry pilgrims from New Delhi to Badrinath via Haridwar and Rishikesh in pilgrim season of summer months pass through Joshimath. Rishikesh is the major starting point for road journey to Joshimath. Regular buses operate from Rishikesh bus station to Joshimath. The road distance from Rishikesh to Joshimath is 251 km via Rudraprayag and Chamoli.
By Train
Rishikesh railway station is the nearest railhead 251 Km from Joshimath. Taxi or jeeps are available to Joshimath from Rishikesh railway station.
By Air
Jolly Grant airport Dehradun is the nearest airport 293 Km from Joshimath through Rishikesh. Tourists find taxi or jeep to Joshimath from Jolly Grant airport.
Sanjay Gaur
A proud resident of Chamoli Garhwal, who wants our state to be famous throughout the world. Everyone should know the diversity in flora, fauna, tourism, mythology and it should become a tourist paradise and people instead of migrating away from it come back to it.