Bhadraj Temple: Worship, Trek, and Sightseeing.

Situated around 11 kilometres west of Mussoorie is a beautiful temple perched atop the Bhadraj Hill, known as the Bhadraj Temple, one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Balrama, the elder brother of Shree Krishna, and the incarnation of the Shesha, the serpent.

Located over 2200 meters (7217 feet) above sea level, Bhadraj temple is a perfect amalgamation of beautiful architecture, picturesque location, and spirituality. Therefore, it attracts devotees and nature lovers from all parts of the country.

View from the temple offers a 360-degree view of the enticing Doon Valley, Shivalik ranges, Chaukhamba and Banderpoonch peaks, and Dakpatthar and Assan Barrage. 

Construction of Bhadraj Temple

The Bhadraj Mandir is an eternal part of the Badrinath Temple, and it is believed that pilgrims who visit this temple get the same blessing as they would receive at the Badrinath Temple. 

The temple building has been beautifully reconstructed in all-white marble and is a treat to the eyes, perfectly complimenting the immense natural beauty that surrounds the shrine. 

About the Bal Bhadra deity

Bhadraj is a folk god of people in the Jaunsar-Bawar region, the western part of Uttarakhand. The offering to the deity is milk-based products like ghee, butter, and milk. The stone idol of lord Bal Bhadra is cleansed with milk.

Bhadraj Temple History

The Bhadraj temple has its roots in Mahabharat. Shri Krishna’s brother, Lord Balrama, did not participate in the Mahabharata war and arrived at this beautiful spot to meditate. Lord Balrama was impressed with how well the people in this place cared for their cattle.

All of this made Lord Balrama appreciate the place and its people, and he meditated there for quite some time. After that, he left for Badrinath.

As the villagers grew fond of him and were sad to see him go, Lord Balrama promised that he would return to the place as a stone idol and take care of the cattle and the people.

A few years later, Nandu Mehra, a local villager, discovered the idol of lord Balarama that instructed him to carry it to a high altitude.

The idol suggests Nandu bring it as far as he can and place it at a spot where it feels heavy to him. The temple is where the figure began to feel heavy, and thus, the foundation of the Bhadraj Temple was laid.

Unique attraction at Bhadraj Temple

Each year, from the 15th to the 17th of August, the temple committee organizes a fair, celebrating the Garhwali tradition’s ethos and attracting devotees that arrive in large numbers to seek blessings, offering unprocessed milk to the Lord Bhadraj.

The temple holds a special place for the Van Gujjar community, whose livelihood depends on their cattle, and to seek the lord’s blessings in keeping their cattle safe; the first milk of a cow is offered to the lord before the calf can have it.

Local folk dances and Bhandara take place during the fair. The festival is believed to have been celebrated since 1817 AD.  

How to reach Bhadraj Temple?

There are two routes to reach the Bhadraj Temple. The first route to the Bhadraj temple is via Mussoorie and clouds end. The temple is about 11 km from Mussoorie and 7 km from Clouds End. 

The second route to Bhadraj temple is via Vikasnagar by taking the National Highway 507, from where the temple is at a distance of 64.3 kilometres.

Trek to Bhadraj Temple

Start Point: Cloud end, Mussoorie.

Cloud End is located about 4 km from Library Chowk on the western end, beyond Company Garden. The temple is situated at a distance of 7 km from this point. The trek is short but ideal for weekends. The hike traverses through beautiful forests and grasslands.

Though the trek is manageable within a day, you can camp at Dudhli Village for the night and go for the summit the following day to thoroughly soak in nature and what the area offers. The trek distance from Cloud End to Dudhli village is 3 Kilometers.

The nearest airport to the Bhadraj Temple

The nearest airport is the Jollygrant Airport, about 62 km from the cloud end.

Nearest Railway Station to the Bhadraj Temple

The Dehradun railway station is 37.7 km away from the Cloud end.

The road network to the Bhadraj Temple

Bhadraj is well connected by roads, both via Mussoorie and Vikasnagar. You can reach within walking distance of the temple via your vehicle; however, what sets this temple apart is its trek, which can be done from different points.

We would suggest you trek from Cloud End to the Bhadraj temple. To reach Cloud End, where the trail starts, you need to travel towards Mussoorie from Dehradun.

If you wish to enjoy more of what Doon Valley has to offer, We suggest you take the route to Cloud End via Kimadi Village, as the main route to Mussoorie can be ridden with traffic jams. The way through Kimadi is highly recommended for Bikers and smaller cars.

Alternatively, suppose you travel in a big family car. In that case, it is better to take the traditional route to Mussoorie and then divert towards the Lambidhar mines road, around 4 km before Mussoorie.

Best time to visit the Bhadraj Temple

The trek is open around the year, but the best time to visit is after the monsoon, during the Bhadraj festival (15-17 August every year), when greenery is at its peak and nature comes alive as you walk among the clouds. 

Major Cities Near the Bhadraj Temple

Places to visit near Bhadraj Temple