Darshan at Badrinath: how the day works
The Badri Vishal temple stands at about 3,100 m on the Alaknanda in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Darshan means seeing the deity. At Badrinath that is the black image of Badrinarayan, shown in a meditation posture. The temple is open only in the pilgrimage season, so darshan is possible from late April to November and not in winter.
Most visitors queue for ordinary darshan. Pujas and aarti are separate slots that the temple committee (BKTC) sets with times and amounts. If you want the whole trip arranged, from Rishikesh to the temple and back, compare the Badrinath tours and Char Dham packages. Your Yatra registration comes first, and it is free: see Char Dham Yatra registration.
Puja and aarti: times and amounts
One person per booking, 2026 amounts. These are amounts for rituals, not an entry fee.
| Puja or aarti | Time slot | Amount per person |
|---|---|---|
| Mahabhishek | 04:30–06:30 | ₹4,300 to ₹5,500 |
| Abhishek | 04:30–06:30 | ₹4,100 to ₹5,300 |
| Ved Path or Geeta Path (each) | 07:30–12:00 and 15:00–18:00 | ₹3,100 |
| Kapoor, Chandi and Swaran Aarti | From 18:00 | ₹501, ₹701 and ₹901 |
| Shayan Aarti with Geet Govind | No fixed start | ₹3,100 to ₹5,001 |
Several amounts are given as a range, so confirm the amount at the moment you book. The early abhishek can start between 04:00 and 04:30, and evening slots end around 19:45, in summer at about 20:30.
For most first-time visitors, ordinary darshan in the queue is the simple choice. Book an abhishek or a path only if a personal ritual matters to you. The Shayan Aarti suits pilgrims who can stay late, because it begins only after the waiting devotees have had their darshan.
Badrinath tours and Char Dham trips
Guided trips that include Badrinath darshan, with live prices and availability.
Online darshan booking: three separate steps
People often mix these up. They are different things.
1. Yatra registration
The state tourist-care portal asks every traveller to register before Char Dham. It costs ₹0 and ends with a registration letter with a QR code that you carry with you. It does not reserve a puja. Details are on the registration page.
2. The darshan token
The portal also asks for a darshan slot token. Token counters are at Badrinath ISBT, at BRO Circle and at Mana Parking, and the check point for Badrinath is Pandukeshwar. Counters and hours can change, so ask when you arrive.
3. A puja or aarti booking
The temple committee links its puja booking from its home page. To book there you register with an Indian mobile number. Keep the receipt and a photo ID. The booking is not refundable or transferable, accommodation is not part of it, and the committee can change slots. Foreign participants use a passport and a valid visa as ID.
Rules to know before you queue
The temple sets these, not this guide.
Phones, photos and video
Mobile phones, photos and videos are not allowed within about 50 to 60 m of the temple under the 2026 rules. Lockers were announced, but availability and any fee can differ from day to day. The safest plan is to leave phones and cameras where you stay.
Who may enter
New rules apply in 2026 for who may enter the temple if they are not followers of Hinduism; how they will be applied is still open. If you are not a Hindu, find out before you travel whether and how you can enter the temple.
VIP darshan
VIP darshan is a government protocol arrangement with a pass at ₹1,100 per person, issued at a protocol office near the Neelkanth rest house. It is not a ticket you can buy online, and a flight or a package does not guarantee it.
Clothing and altitude
Wear warm woollen layers. At this height the cold and the thin air tire you quickly, so walk slowly, drink water and give yourself time to acclimatise before long queues. If you get headaches, dizziness, nausea or shortness of breath, take them seriously.
Weather and best time →Before and after darshan
Where the visit fits.
Many pilgrims bathe in the hot spring at Tapt Kund before darshan. The ritual is described on the Tapt Kund page. The temple closes for the winter, and the dates change each year: see opening and closing dates.
Badrinath darshan: frequently asked questions
What time does darshan start at Badrinath?
The temple committee announces daily temple and aarti times for each season. Early puja slots start between 04:00 and 04:30, and evening slots end around 19:45, in summer at about 20:30. Check the times posted at the temple.
Is there an entry fee for darshan?
The amounts on this page are for pujas and aarti, not for entry. For ordinary darshan, ask at the temple on the day what applies.
Can I book a puja online?
Yes, through the temple committee's booking page, with a registration that uses an Indian mobile number. Take the receipt and your ID. Foreign participants show a passport and a valid visa.
Can I use my phone near the temple?
No. Mobile phones, photos and videos are not allowed within about 50 to 60 m of the temple. Leave them where you stay or ask about lockers.
Do I need to register for the Yatra?
Yes. The state tourist-care registration is required before Char Dham, and it is free. It does not replace a puja booking or a darshan token.
Who may enter the temple?
New rules apply in 2026 for who may enter the temple if they are not followers of Hinduism; how they will be applied is still open. If you are not a Hindu, find out before you travel whether and how you can enter the temple.