A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist vihara (temple), with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhism temples.
[image: Inline image 1] The main shrine houses the 1 m (3.3 ft) Shaligram (black stone) image of Badrinarayan, housed in a gold canopy, under a Badri Tree. The image of Badari Narayan is armed with Shankh (conch) and Chakra (wheel) in two of his arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra posture. Vishnu in the form of Badrinath, is depicted in the temple sitting in padmasana posture. According to the legend, Vishnu was chastised by a sage who saw Vishnu's consort Lakshmi massaging his feet. Vishnu went to Badrinath to perform austerity, meditating for a long time in padmasana. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badrinath_temple
