Close your eyes and imagine a hilltop temple surrounded by dense orographic clouds and lungs filled with clean air. That is Bhadraj Temple for you. Situated in the Gharwal Himalayas of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, at a height of 2,200m, one can behold two other ranges of the Himalayas: Swrgarohani and Bandar Poonch. This walk can be done from either routes Cloud’s End or the Dudhali village. One can rent a two-wheeler and ride along the morning breeze to the top on the zigzag road. The road is 70% paved with cement, while the remaining 30% is a kachha road covered with stones and boulders
If you plan to do this trek, suggested to start early in the morning. Please don’t miss the sunrise. The single mountain road journey takes 2–3 hours to reach. Also be mindful; the temple closes by 5 PM. Try to return by 3 PM as there are no street lights and the road is slant.
When should we plan for the Bhadraj Temple — Best Time?
The Bhadraj Temple trek, can be easily completed in one day making it a great weekend hike. The trek is accessible for the entire year. My personal suggestion would be to avoid it in the monsoon due to rain, bad weather and slippery roads.
The best time to visit the temple is after the monsoon and in the winters, when the clouds halt themselves to pay a visit.
How to reach Bhadraj Temple?
You can start your trek either from Cloud’s End or Dudhali Village. Many people complete this trek within 2-3 days. One day prior, reach Mussoorie and start your drive from your stay to Cloud’s End; it will hardly take half an hour. If you rent a two-wheeler, you can directly go to Dudhali, or if you use public transport, they will drop you off at Cloud’s End. From there, you can start your trek.
If you start driving directly to Bhadraj, then keep extra petrol, as there is no petrol pump nearby. Start your drive early in the morning; you will reach maximum by noon. Don’t be hard on yourself; take some breaks, breathe in the unpolluted air, and pack some chai in the thermostat. The road becomes immutable a few kilometers down the temple. That’s the last hurdle.
Now behold the sangam of heaven and earth. Worship Lord Balram, enjoy the peaceful view and take some rest at the cement bench under a solitude tree at the edge of the road, which invites a breathful view. Click as many pictures as you want, but keep in mind to live in the moment. It’s time to return. Start driving back by 2–3 PM. If trekking all the way, start back by 1 PM.
Significance and Mythology
The temple honores to Lord Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, and is part of the Badrinath Temple. This temple is very sacred as it is said to have been built after the Mahabharata in Dwapar Yuga. Lord Balram is worshipped with milk and butter like Sri Krishna. If you have consumed non-vegetarian food like meat, fish, eggs and alcohol, you are not allowed in the temple. This disclaimer is printed outside the temple and one should abide by it.
Every year, a mela (fair) is held in the temple premises from August 15th to 17th. There is also a large area in the front and back of the temple with small tin-covered shelters available with sitting benches. The temple is made out of white marble and has stairs on both sides. If you have a drone, do not miss it at all.
Stories behind the temple
The temple holds many mythological stories. One of them is that after the Mahabharata war ended, like other ditties, Balram also left on his foot. He was passing by the valley of Binhar and heard the voice of the villagers praying to save their lives from a rakshas (monster) who used to eat all the domesticated animals and was very powerful. When Balram saw and heard their prayers, he immediately stopped by the place. He helped the villagers by defeating him and brought glory and happiness back. Lord Balram stayed in the village for some time and promised to take care of the villagers. Thereafter, he started his yatra to Badrinath.
Among other stories, after the Mahabharat, as Balram passed through the hills of Binhar, the valley’s beauty mesmerized him, and he decided to stay for a while. The villagers took good care of him and his cows. Seeing their love and affection, Balram spent some time meditating and taught them war tactics. He also promised to be back in the form of stone to take care of the people of the village.
After a few decades, a man named Nandu, while traveling places in search of ayurvedic herbs near the banks of the Yamuna, heard a voice asking him to take him out. Sacred Nandu called his friends and started digging. They found the statue of Lord Balram. As per every instruction given by Lord Balram, Nandu carried the idol to the top of the Bhadraj. On the way, Nandu was very thirsty and the idol instructed him to remove the stone and he found water. Even today, visitors can witness this place where water flows constantly throughout the year. One can ask the priest of the temple to locate the waterbody.
Tips for Foreigners
These days, day hikes are becoming popular in India. And more so among foreigners. A few time-saving tips,
- Rent a two-wheeler for the day and directly go to Dudhali Village and start your trek or else directly go to the top of Bhadraj.
- Locals are super supportive; you can use Google translate.
- Directly follow Google Maps; it will guide you the best. (We used Google maps.)
- If you want some munchies, you can have them at Bhadraj Cafe or Negi Maggie Point.
- Fill your fuel tank to the brim.
Also check our other blog –
1. Places to Visit in Dehradun
2. Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun
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