Badrinath is one of the four major Dhams of India. Badrinath Dham is a small town situated between two mountain ranges on the banks of the Alaknanda River. These mountains are part of the Narayan mountain range. Shri Vishnu took avatar of Nara-Narayana and performed penance in Badrinath Dham. Therefore, Badrinath Dham is also referred as Shri Vishnu Dham. It is also believed that Badrinath Dham was established during the Satya Yuga when this holy place was covered with forests of berry trees. Hence, it was named Badrinath as Badri means Berry. According to Hindu literature, the present Temple was built here by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. Shiva had also described this place as the most sacred pilgrimage for Sanatan Dharma.