Early morning leave for Badrinath via Joshimath, Shankracharya Math, Narsimha Temple, on arrival offer prayer, do darshan. In the evening back to Pipalkoti. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Things To Do : Early Morning take a holy dip in Tapt Kund , Have again Darshan of Badri Vishal if time allows otherwise Important visit to Nag Nagin Pith (One of the important place in India for Sarp Kal Dosh Nivaran ) , Short Visit to Mana Village (Vyas Cave , Ganesha Cave , Keshav Prayag , Darshan of Saraswati Udgam (origin) ), Charan Paduka Darshan , ,Short visit of Ekadasi Gufa & hanuman Gufa. View of Vishnu Prayag, Nandprayag, Karnprayag while returning to Rudraprayag.
Badrinath: Cradled in the twin Mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan is the holiest of the four main shrines – Badrinath along the left bank of river Alaknanda with the towering Neelkantha Peaks as the splendid backdrop. Once the spot was carpeted with ‘badris’ or wild berries and hence was famous as Badri van. Legend has it when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity; the earth was unable to withstand the force of its decent. Therefore the mighty Ganga was split into 12 holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath.
Narad Kund: A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.
Brahama Kapal: It is a flat platform a few yards north of the temple and on the bank of river Alaknanda. It is an important place for shhradh ceremony or offering of pinds to ensure a heavenly place for dead ancestors or manes. It is said that by offering pind here, the manes are permanently enshrined in heaven and no more pinds are to be done elsewhere ever afterward. Legends have it that when Shiva chopped of the fifth head of Brahma, it got stuck to his trident. Lastly with the blessing of Lord Vishnu at Badrivan, the head of Brahma fell down from the trident at this place & hence the name Brahma-Kapal (head).
Sheshnetra: It is a large block of stone between tow small seasonal lakes carrying an eye of “Sheshnag” The eye formation is quite natural, 1.5kms. away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag’s eye, it is believed that the seshnag waits at this place patiently to accompany the lord on his reincarnation.
Mana Village: Inhabited by an Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is the last Indian village before Tibet. The women of the village offer Choli to the deity on closing day of the temple each year.
Bhim Pul: On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge, lies over the roaring Saraswati river. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
Vyas Gufa (cave): Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.
Distance:- 100 km
Time:- 2.5 hrs
