Sheshnetra Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Jolly Grant Airport (code DED) in Dehradun is the nearest airport.

• By train

  Rishikesh Railway Station (code RKSH) is the nearest station. Badrinath is about 301 km north of Rishikesh.

• By road

  From Gaurikund, near Kedarnath, the road to Badrinath is 233 km. A shared jeep or government bus from Rishikesh is the cheaper option.

Why devotees come here

Sheshnetra Temple stands in the town of Badrinath in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, in the Himalayas. Legend says this is where Vishnu rested on the serpent Sheshnag during his cosmic slumber, and the sanctum shows him reclining on the serpent's coils.

Legend says Vishnu rested at this spot on the divine serpent Sheshnag during his cosmic sleep. It is believed that Vishnu himself chose the place as his divine resting ground. The idol inside the sanctum shows him reclining on the coils of Sheshnag, and the temple attracts pilgrims from far and wide. Neelkanth Peak towers in the background. Pilgrims come for darshan of the reclining idol.

The Alaknanda River flows gently nearby, and its tranquil waters are part of the setting.

Badrinath is a sacred town and nagar panchayat in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, at 3,133 metres above sea level. The temple stands within the town, amid the Himalayas. The town's most prominent festival, the Badri-Kedar Festival, takes place during June.

Festivals

• JuneBadri-Kedar Festival

  The most prominent festival at Badrinath, held during June.

Tips for your visit

• Vasudhara Falls, about 9 km from the temple, is a popular attraction near Badrinath town.
• Badrinath lies 62 km northwest of Nanda Devi peak, which helps when you check a map of the route.

Questions people ask