Vriddha Badri is one of the Panch Badri temples in Uttarakhand, India. Panch Badri refers to the five temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Vriddha Badri is located in Animath village, about 7 kilometers from Joshimath, in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The temple is nestled amidst the scenic beauty of the Himalayas and is believed to be one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Read More :- Badrinath Temple :: Vriddha Badri :: Adi Badri :: Dhyan Badri :: Yogadhyan Badri :: Ardh Badri
More Information about Sapt Badri Temple
Mythological of Vridha Badri
In the mythological tale of Vridha Badri, the revered sage Narad undertook a penance at this sacred site to seek the favor of Lord Vishnu. Pleased by Narad’s devotion, Lord Vishnu manifested in the guise of an elderly man and granted his prayers. Vishwakarma, the divine architect, then crafted an idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of an old man. This sacred idol initially resided in Animath until it succumbed to flooding. In the 8th century, Adi Shankaracharya, a prominent Hindu philosopher, rediscovered the Vridha Badri idol while disseminating Hindu teachings across the country. Adi Shankaracharya reinstalled the idol in the temple premises, and it is believed that the original idol made by Vishwakarma now resides in the main Badrinath temple.
How To Reach Vriddha Badri
Joshimath is the base point for Vriddha Badri. You can travel by road from major cities like Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun to Joshimath. From Joshimath, you can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep to the temple.
Rishikesh is the nearest railway station. From Rishikesh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Joshimath.
The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 317 kilometers away.