English: Badrinath was re-established as a major pilgrimage site by Adi Shankara in the 7th century.[2] In earlier days, pilgrims used to walk hundreds of miles to visit Badrinath temple.[3] The temple has been repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes and avalanches. As late as the First World War, the town consisted only of the 20-odd huts used by the temple's staff, but the site drew thousands each year and up to 50,000 on its duodecennial festivals (every twelve years).[4] In recent years its popularity has increased still more, with an estimated 600,000 pilgrims visiting during the 2006 season,[5] compared to 90,676 in 1961.[6] The temple in Badrinath is also a sacred pilgrimage site for Vaishnavites. Badrinath is also gateway to several mountaineering expeditions headed to mountains like Nilkantha.[3]