Badrinath Temple, or Badarinath Dham, is one of our most popular divyadesam and is part of the Char Dham Yatra. The temple is opened for six months each year and during the remaining six months, Perumal is brought down to Joshirmutt, where the aradhanams are done. Due to heavy and snow and road conditions, the temple is closed for six months during winter. Every year, the temple is opened on the akshaya tritiya day and closed around Diwali period.
This year the temple is opened for Pilgrims on the 16th of May 2013 (yesterday) amid chanting of vedic hymns and blowing of conchshells, the gates of the shrine located at a height of 10000 ft were reopened at 4 AM by Rawal, the head priest, in the presence of religious heads and administrative officials. The temple closes by November 3rd for this year. Every year a gran re-opening of the temple is done with the locals, huge crowd of Pilgrims and the Army people. (Since this area is under Indian Army control).
Thirumangai Azhwar has done mangalasasanam to Badri perumal.
The best season to visit this temple is during the months of May-June and July. A detailed travelogues and video can be read from the following link.
Travelogue:
http://anudinam.org/2012/04/01/its-time-to-plan-for-badrinath-trip/
http://anudinam.org/2012/04/01/badrinath-divya-desam-video/
