Badrinath, one of the famous pilgrimage centres in Uttarakhand, is situated on the bank of which river?

Introduction / Context:
River side pilgrimage centres in the Himalayas are important both culturally and geographically. Badrinath is one of the Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand and is often mentioned in questions that ask which river flows by a particular holy town. Knowing the correct river helps reinforce knowledge of the upper Ganga system.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The town mentioned is Badrinath in Uttarakhand. • The options list four rivers: Yamuna, Alaknanda, Saraswati and Ganga. • We assume a basic familiarity with the main tributaries of the Ganga in the Himalayas.

Concept / Approach:
Badrinath is located on the bank of the Alaknanda River, which is one of the principal headstream tributaries of the Ganga. The town is situated in a valley of the Alaknanda, upstream of its later confluences. While the Ganga is formed further downstream after several tributaries merge, and the Yamuna flows in a different valley, Badrinath is specifically associated with the Alaknanda.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the basic structure of the upper Ganga system. The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi are the main headstreams that eventually meet to form the Ganga at Devprayag. Step 2: Remember that Badrinath lies in the Alaknanda valley and is often described as situated on the left bank of the Alaknanda River. Step 3: Recognise that the river named Ganga technically begins at Devprayag, downstream from Badrinath, so Badrinath cannot be said to be on the Ganga itself in strict hydrological terms. Step 4: Compare with the Yamuna and Saraswati, which flow in different valleys, and confirm that Alaknanda is the correct choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tourism information, maps and religious geography references clearly state that Badrinath is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River. These sources consistently distinguish between Badrinath on Alaknanda and other shrines on the Yamuna or on the later course of the Ganga.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Yamuna) is the main river of a different valley in Uttarakhand, associated with places like Yamunotri, not Badrinath. Option C (Saraswati) refers to a mythical river and also to some small streams in the region, but the principal river at Badrinath is Alaknanda, not a separate Saraswati. Option D (Ganga) is the name given downstream after the confluence at Devprayag; using it here would be geographically imprecise even if it is common in devotional usage.

Common Pitfalls:
• Some learners associate all major Himalayan shrines simply with the Ganga and choose that name, ignoring the detailed headstream distinctions. • Others confuse Yamunotri and Badrinath and may incorrectly select Yamuna, so it is important to learn which shrine belongs to which river valley.

Final Answer:
Badrinath is situated on the bank of the Alaknanda River.