The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s2.4

c5.s2.4

Badarikâsrama—Badrinâth in Garwal, United Provinces. It is a peak of the main Himalayan range, about a month’s journey to the north of Hardwar and 55 miles north-east of Śrînagara. The temple of Nara-Nârâyaṇa is built on the west bank near the source of the Bishengaṅgâ (Alakânanda), equidistant from two mountains called Nara and Nârâyaṇa, over the site of a hot-spring called Tapanakuṇḍa, the existence of which, no doubt, led to the original selection of this spot : it is situated on the Gandhamâdana mountain (Asiatic Researches, vol. XI, article x; Mahâbhârata, Śânti, ch. 335). The temple is said to have been built by Śaṅkarâchârya in the eighth century A.D. It was also called Badarî and Biśâlâ Badarî (Mahâbhârata, Vana, ch. 144). For a description of the place, see Asiatic Researches, vol. XI, article x.