Making your pilgrimage to Badrinath a spiritual and logistical breeze involves smart planning. Here’s a guide tailored for pilgrims journeying from Lucknow or Nainital to the sacred Badrinath Temple.
From Lucknow to Badrinath
The journey from Lucknow to Badrinath spans around 681–685 km and takes roughly 12 hours by road. Driving costs range from ₹7,000–11,000 via self-drive, while taxi fares hover between ₹9,500–12,000. For fastest travel, fly from Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport (LKO) to Dehradun (DED) and take a taxi for approximately 9 h 15 m, costing ₹13,800–20,300.
The nearest railway connection is via the Lucknow–Dehradun Vande Bharat Express, taking about 8 h 20 m to Dehradun.
From Nainital to Badrinath
Planning a spiritual journey from Nainital to Badrinath? The route offers both natural beauty and divine blessings. The distance between Nainital and Badrinath is approximately 330 km, and it takes around 12–14 hours depending on road conditions.
The most convenient way is to travel by road. You can hire a taxi or board a bus from Nainital towards Badrinath. The common route goes via Rudraprayag – Joshimath, offering scenic views of the Himalayan valleys. Shared jeeps and state transport buses are also available, though private cabs provide more comfort.
For those preferring rail travel, the nearest railway station is Kathgodam, about 35 km from Nainital. From Kathgodam, you can hire a cab or catch buses heading towards Badrinath.
Air travelers can take a flight to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, which is the nearest airport to Badrinath (about 310 km). From there, cabs and buses are available.
With good planning and an early start, your journey from Nainital to Badrinath becomes a memorable spiritual experience, combining devotion with breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Temple Timings, Aarti & Worship
Badrinath Temple opens each year approximately from May to October/November—in 2025, it reopened on May 4 and is expected to close around Vijayadashami. The daily schedule is:
● Morning Darshan starts at 4:30 AM with Mangala Aarti, continues until about 1:00 PM.
● The temple reopens at 4:00 PM; Evening Aarti (Sandhya Aarti) is held from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM, and the temple closes around 9:00 PM.
Nearby Airport, Railway & Bus Access
Pilgrims usually reach Dehradun Airport (Jolly Grant), then continue by road to Badrinath. There’s no direct train to Badrinath; the closest railhead is Dehradun or Kathgodam (for Nainital). Road travel is via Rishikesh → Devprayag → Karnaprayag → Joshimath → Badrinath.
Local Convenience & Nearby Travel
Once in Badrinath, local taxis and cabs are available for trips to Vasudhara Falls (~9 km trek away) and Mana Village, offering spiritual and scenic excursions.
Deity and Temple Worship
Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Badrinarayan (Vishnu), represented by a self-manifested black stone idol in a meditative posture. Several other sacred figures—such as Lakshmi (Badridevi), Nara-Narayana, Garuda, Kubera, Narada—are also venerated within the temple sanctum.The morning rituals include Abhishek, Mahabhishek, Gitapath, and Bhagavat Puja; evenings witness Geet Govind and Aarti.
This blend of essential travel tips, timings, and spiritual insights should help pilgrims plan their journey to Badrinath—enhancing both the practical and devotional aspects of the visit. Let me know if you’d like help with accommodations or specific pilgrimage packages!