Treks by
March to June and September to November
By Road: Adibadri is ~17 km from Karanprayag via NH-109. Shared taxis or private vehicles are available. By Rail: Nearest station is Rishikesh (~190 km). By Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~210 km), is the closest airport.
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1,900 meters
Ancient Vishnu temple complex located near Karanprayag, Adibadri is part of the sacred Sapta Badri circuit. Known for its serene Himalayan surroundings and historical significance dating back to the Gupta period, it's a must-visit spiritual destination in Chamoli district.
Adibadri Temple is an ancient group of 16 stone temples located about 17 km from Karanprayag on the Karanprayag–Ranikhet road in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. It forms a crucial part of the Sapta Badri pilgrimage and is dedicated primarily to Lord Vishnu (Narayan). The complex is historically and spiritually rich, dating back to the 5th–8th century CE, with legends connecting it to Adi Shankaracharya and Vyasa.
The Adibadri Temple complex dates back to the Gupta period (5th to 8th century CE) and is believed to have been established to promote Hindu dharma in remote Himalayan regions. According to legends, the revered philosopher Adi Shankaracharya re-established worship here as part of his efforts to revive Hinduism across India. The site is considered to be one of the earliest places of Lord Vishnu worship, long before Badrinath became the primary shrine. Some ancient texts suggest that Maharishi Ved Vyas composed parts of the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita here. The complex originally had 16 temples, out of which 14 still remain, constructed in traditional North Indian Nagara style. The main temple houses a black stone idol of Lord Narayan (Vishnu).