<P> The mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas were said to have expired one by one, when ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini. (literal meaning - the' Ascent to Heaven'). The Pandavas passed through Badrinath and the town of Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath, on their way to Svarga (heaven). There is also a cave in Mana where Vyasa, according to legend, wrote the Mahabharata . </P> <P> The area around Badrinath was celebrated in Padma Purana as abounding in spiritual treasures . </P> <P> Badrinath has an average elevation of 3,100 metres (10,170 feet). It is in the Garhwal Himalayas, on the banks of the Alaknanda River . The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges 9 km east of Nilkantha peak (6,596 m). Badrinath is located 62 km northwest of Nanda Devi peak and 301 km north of Rishikesh . From Gaurikund (near Kedarnath) to Badrinath by road is 233 km . </P> <P> As of 2001 India census, Badrinath had a population of 841 . Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45% . Badrinath has an average literacy rate of 89%,; with 92% of the males and 86% of females literate. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age . </P>

Badrinath is situated on which bank of river