Joshimath

Excursion | Getting There

word ‘Jyotirmath’ the place of Jyotirlinga of Shiva. Shankracharya founded one of the four piths “Centres’ for sanyashis here. It is a halting place for the pilgrims bound for Badrinath. It is considered to be one of the most sacred places by Hindus who believes that Badrinath (The God Vishnu) resides here in winter.

Joshimath has a temple dedicated to Narshimsha, an incarnation of Vishnu, an arm of the idol of this deity (which is install in the temple) is said to be thinning daily and it is believed that when it breaks off the road to Badrinath will be close by a land slip. To the south of the big square in front of the temple there is a roofed building housing a stone cistern with two brass spouts known as Danddhara and Narshimha Dhara between which there are brass idols of Rama and Sita.

There are several temples here, each dedicated to Haniman, Ganesha, Surya, Gaurishankar and Naudevi respectively. These temples surround that of Vashudeva the black stone idol install in it, which is two meters high and stand on a lotus pedestal, being of fine craftsmanship and being flanked by standing figures of Sridevi and Bhudevi. In the temple are also the idols of the ten avtars of Vishnu. At a short distance in front of the temple there is a brass idol of Garud,Vishu’s vehicle.

Excursion
Narsingh Temple
The temple has a very attractive entrance gate made of wood. Going by its structure, it appears that this temple earlier might have been a king's palace. The temple got its present shape after renovation works. Apart from the idol of Lord Narsingh, the idols of Lord Ram, Laxman, Chandi and Badrinath are also located inside the temple.

Vasudev Temple
This temple was constructed by the Shankaracharya with the help of the king of Katyuri Rajwansh dynasty which previously had helped the Shankaracharya in the propagation and promotion of the Hindu religion.

Navdurga Temple
This temple is adjacent to Vasudev temple. It has nine idols of Nav Durga. This temple is lying in a dilapidated condition after the earthquake.

Jyotirmath
Located to the west of Narsingh and Vasudev temples, Jyotirmath was set up by Adi Shankaracharya. Now only ruminants of this Math is left.

Kamad
It is a tree (kalpvriksh) located near the cave at Jyotirmath. This tree is believed to be contemporary of the Shankaracharya. Madhyavacharya came here at Badrikashram in 1278. He stayed here for several years. and established Bhagwatpuran Math. Badrinath was also visited by saint Ramanand in 1450. In fact the tradition of keeping the idol of Badrinath inside Nrisingh temple during the winter was started by him.

Today Joshimath has emerged as an important hill station and offers wide tourism potential. However, of late, people seem to have forgotten its religious and historical importance.

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Getting There
By Air
Nearest airport is Jollygrant, 221 kms.

By Rail
Rishikesh is the nearest Railway station.

By Road
Well connected to Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Nanital, & Almora.

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