Badrinath
Charanpaduka is a flat rock 1.5 kilometres from the temple where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is imprinted in stone — a sacred spot with extraordinary views of the surrounding peaks and the Alaknanda valley far below. Below the temple, the Brahma Kapal rock platform on the banks of the Alaknanda is where Hindu pilgrims perform the last rites (pind daan) for deceased ancestors — one of the most sacred locations for this ritual in all of Hinduism.
The Brahma Kapal platform is powerful regardless of whether you are performing rituals — watching families carry out these ancient rites beside a glacier-fed river with peaks overhead is profoundly moving. Dress warmly as the river wind is cold.